Planner Profile: Meet Gavin Porter
Planner Profile is a series spotlighting the unique experiences of our peers who are making a difference in the profession and at APA.
Gavin Porter is pursuing a doctorate in community and regional planning at the University of Texas at Austin and is a member of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Photo courtesy of Gavin Porter.
How did you discover planning as a profession?
When I was 22 years old, I was attending community college and experiencing homelessness as a single dad. While sitting in a shelter, I became fascinated by the affordable housing system. I wanted to understand how it worked, why accessing housing could be so difficult, and why so many people struggled to find safe and stable places to live.
As I learned more, I realized that housing conditions are shaped by planning decisions, public policies, funding priorities and long histories of inequality. Housing was not simply a personal struggle; it was part of a much larger system affecting families and communities. That realization fueled my pursuit of higher education and inspired my commitment to expanding access to affordable housing. Planning gave me a way to turn my experiences into purpose and prepare myself to create better living conditions for others.
What aspect of your work have you found most fulfilling?
My Green Book research has been the most fulfilling part of my academic and professional journey. As a Texas Historical Commission Preservation Scholar, I researched places that served African American travelers during segregation. The project brought together my interests in history, planning, historic preservation, geography and public storytelling.
Green Book sites were more than hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses. They provided travelers with safety, hospitality and community during a difficult period in American history. Many were also locally owned businesses that created economic opportunities and became important neighborhood institutions.
That experience changed how I understood preservation. It showed me that the field is not simply about protecting old buildings. It is also about documenting the people, experiences and stories connected to those places, so they are not lost through neglect, demolition or redevelopment.
If you could create the perfect community, what would it be like?
My ideal community would provide people of different incomes with access to safe, attractive and affordable homes. Affordable housing should not mean poorly designed housing or neighborhoods disconnected from jobs, transportation, schools, grocery stores, parks and other essential resources.
The community would include different housing types and price points, allowing people to remain as their families, incomes and needs change. It would be walkable, environmentally sustainable and connected to reliable public transportation. It would also have welcoming public spaces where residents could gather and develop a shared sense of belonging.
Development would respect the history and identity of the existing community. Growth would not require displacing long-time residents or erasing the places and stories that give a neighborhood meaning. Most importantly, residents would have a genuine voice in shaping the community's future.
What keeps you grounded outside of your academic and professional work?
My family keeps me grounded. They mean everything to me, and without my mother and older brother, Javonte, I don't know where I would be today. Their love, sacrifices and encouragement have helped me continue moving forward. My accomplishments are connected to the people who supported me and believed in what I could become.
What's your favorite third space?
The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is also a major part of my identity. I have spent most of my adult life there as a student, employee, researcher and fan. I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees at UT and am now pursuing my PhD.
Outside of school and work, I enjoy spending time with my family and supporting Texas Longhorns football. Both give me a sense of connection, tradition, and pride while reminding me of the people and communities that matter most to me.
Want to be the next Planner Profile? Fill out this form to help us get to know you better.