NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE
Josh Martin, AICP, CNU-A, has been named as one of the top professional urban planners in the US by Next American City. Josh Martin possesses over twenty-three (23) years of public, private, and non-profit sector urban planning experience. Currently, as the Special Advisor to Mayor William Cogswell (Charleston, South Carolina), Josh manages all special projects within the City ranging from complex affordable and workforces housing implementation, suburban retrofit projects, urban infill projects, reimagination of districts and quarters within Charleston, historic preservation, multimodal transit, architecture and urban design of civic buildings, and establishing/managing public-private partnerships with various stakeholders of the City.
Over twelve years of his experience involved management level public sector experience including roles as the Town of Bluffton Senior Planner, Town of Bluffton Community Development Director, Town of Bluffton Town Manager, the City of Charleston Director of Planning, Preservation, and Economic Innovation under the immediate direction of Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Senior Advisor on the Built Environment under the immediate direction of Mayor John Tecklenburg, and the Director of Planning, Zoning, and Building Department at the Town of Palm Beach (Florida).
Josh maintains an inimitable understanding of urban planning as it relates to development review, public outreach, and entitlement processes involved with land regulation as well as codifying master planning efforts via innovative zoning mechanisms that yield the places envisioned during the master planning efforts. Josh’s unique approach to coding and incentivizing physical redevelopment involves tools that are easy for the public sector to administer and easy for the private sector to understand thus creating “business-friendly” redevelopment areas in towns, districts, and cities alike. Josh’s experience in community-based planning has involved consulting over 200,000 residents, community members, public officials, and stakeholders in efforts to understand local contexts and acquire approval of public and private projects based upon the concise and cogent premise of “know your audi¬ence” as his public outreach strategy.
Josh’s professional work has been featured in countless books and publications including but not limited to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Monocle Magazine, Planetizen, Congress for the New Urbanism (two Charter Awards), American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, and Next American City. Josh has lectured and taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Harvard University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, University of Miami (Florida), Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Clemson University, and the College of Charleston. Josh is still active in the Congress for the New Urbanism, American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Next American City, and the Seaside Institute. Josh graduated from Wofford College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Government, Clemson University with a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning, and began his PhD in City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania.
BIOGRAPHY
Reginald L. “Reggie” Burgess, a native of North Charleston’s historical neighborhoods Union Heights and Liberty Hill, is a man of dedication and diverse achievements. His early love for sports led him to excel in track & field, baseball, football, and basketball during his youth, with football emerging as his true passion. Reggie’s prowess on the field earned him a full scholarship to Morgan State University, where he shone as a wide receiver for the Bears. His college career was marked by numerous accolades, including Sporting News Division 1-AA All-American honors, a spot on the Historical Black College Sports All-American 1st Team, and multiple All-MEAC selections. Despite his aspirations for the NFL, life had other plans, and Reggie returned to South Carolina, embarking on a distinguished law enforcement career.
Joining the North Charleston Police Department in 1989, Reggie’s commitment to justice and community service propelled him through the ranks. His roles ranged from Patrol Officer, DARE and GREAT Officer, to various investigative and supervisory positions, reflecting his versatility and leadership skills. By 2018, he reached the pinnacle of his police career as the Chief of Police for North Charleston, a testament to his dedication and expertise. His journey didn’t stop there, as on January 2, 2024, he was inaugurated as the Mayor of North Charleston, marking a new chapter in his service to the community.
Reggie’s educational pursuits complement his professional journey, holding a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Claflin University and completing advanced training at the Southern Police Institute, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and the US Secret Service Academy. These experiences reflect his commitment to continuous learning and excellence.
Guided by his mother’s wisdom, “to thine own self be true,” Reggie balances his professional endeavors with a rich personal life. He cherishes his family, including his wife Tracy Riggins Burgess, his high school sweetheart, and their two children, Reggie II and Kristen. A lifelong member of Royal Missionary Baptist Church and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Reggie embodies a deep commitment to his faith and community. His story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to public service.
