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Guides

Guidebooks, brochures, and other short pieces offer a chance to make urban and environmental planning issues understandable and engaging for everyone. Even a technical manual, if well written and organized, can be accessible and easy to read and use.

Natalie’s experience ranges from writing report summaries and fact sheets on urban planning and environmental issues to organizing and editing design and planning manuals. She has also edited guidebooks and other public information for the Presidio national park in San Francisco.

Typical Services

  • Research and writing.
  • Editing for clarity, format, and consistency.
  • Simplifying text so that it is understandable to general audiences and can be translated into other languages.
  • Coordination with graphic designer.

Sample Projects


California Climate Adaptation Planning Guide

Assisted with organization and edited this four-part guide, which details a step-by-step process that communities can follow to assess their vulnerability to climate change and develop adaptation strategies.

Client: California Polytechnic State University/ California Emergency Management Agency


Presidio Visitor Guide

Reviewed and edited a comprehensive guide to the history, sights, and services available at the Presidio national park in San Francisco.

Client: Presidio Trust, San Francisco, CA



“Common Sense Compliance” Manual

Edited a manual designed to help regulatory agencies provide better environmental inspection programs for local businesses.  

Client: Association of Bay Area Governments, Oakland, CA

 
“Bay Area Innovations” Pamphlet

Edited major entries in this survey of innovative local government programs for economic development, fiscal reform, environmental protection, public service provision, and use of new technology.

Client: Association of Bay Area Governments, Oakland, CA
 

“Guide to Building More Livable Communities” Brochure

Edited and supervised the design of a publication describing Sierra Club California’s recommended policies for sensible growth in California.

Client: Sierra Club California
 

"Improving Our Bay-Delta Estuary Through Local Plans and Programs" Guidebook

Edited a guidebook that helps city and county governments establish policies and programs to restore and protect the San Francisco Bay-Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta Estuary.

Client: Association of Bay Area Governments, Oakland, CA
  

“Draft Compact for a Sustainable Bay Area” Summary

Wrote the summary of a document recommending actions for “smart growth” and wise use of resources. Simplified the text to eighth-grade reading level to allow easy translation to other languages.

Client: Bay Area Council, San Francisco, CA
  

MacArthur Boulevard Commercial Neighborhood Design Guidelines Manual, Oakland, CA

Working with the project architects, edited a design guidelines manual for use by elected officials, City staff, and community members interested in building restoration and construction.

Client: Kaplan/McLaughlin/Diaz, San Francisco, CA


City of El Cerrito Planning Brochures

Researched, wrote, edited, and supervised the design of brochures describing the City’s use permit, variance, and design review procedures.

Client: City of El Cerrito, CA
  

San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary Wetlands and Land Use Fact Sheets

Compiled public information brochures on wetland and land use issues affecting the Bay-Delta Estuary.

Client: San Francisco Estuary Project, Oakland, CA


Presidio National Park Exhibits, Signs, and Brochures

Working with Presidio Trust communications and marketing staff, reviewed text and graphics for cultural exhibits, informational signs, and brochures for park events, art installations, and services at the Presidio national park in San Francisco.

Client: Presidio Trust, San Francisco, CA



Presidio Tenant Handbook

Assisted with organization and edited a handbook detailing procedures for project review, permitting, and construction at the Presidio national park in San Francisco.

Client: Presidio Trust, San Francisco, CA


 
"
Four Days Around the Bay" Guide  

Served as editor, coordinating a team of writers and graphic designers to produce “Four Days Around the Bay,” the planner’s guide to San Francisco for the American Planning Association’s national conference.  

Client: American Planning Association



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