David Perry, Urban Planner with a Passion for Strengthening Chicago Neighborhoods, Dies at 82

Life and Career

David Perry, a longtime urban planner and Chicago professor, passed away on December 2 at the age of 82. He died at home following a long illness, according to his family.

Academic and Professional Achievements

Mr. Perry was the director of the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago for nearly 12 years. He was also an urban planning and policy professor at UIC and served as associate chancellor for the Great Cities Commitment. He retired from the university in 2018.

Public Service

In addition to his academic career, Mr. Perry served on several public projects, including Chicago’s Zoning Reform Commission, the Urban Land Institute’s National Public Infrastructure Committee, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Personal Life and Philosophy

A Sense of Social Justice

According to his wife, Judith Kossy, Mr. Perry had a “profound sense of social justice” and his guiding philosophy was to “live your values.” She described him as curious and eager to learn from his students.

Engaged Research

Mr. Perry was known for his engaged research approach. Whenever he would conduct research in a community, he would treat the people he studied as partners and would share his findings with them to help address the problems facing their community.

Writings and Research

Books and Articles

Mr. Perry wrote and edited more than a dozen books and over 150 articles that focused on economic development, race, politics, urban violence, public infrastructure, urban space, and the role of universities and community foundations in American cities.

University-Community Integration

Integrating universities with the surrounding community was a passion for Mr. Perry. He pointed to the once-neglected section of the Loop that was transformed into a hub for higher education, including DePaul’s downtown campus, Columbia College, and Roosevelt University.

Legacy

Mr. Perry is survived by his wife, Judith Kossy; his sons, Clayton Perry and Evan Perry; his daughters-in-law, Jamie Perry and Veronica Perry; and four grandchildren, Sam, Jack, Colin, and Dillon.

Conclusion

David Perry’s life and work were dedicated to strengthening Chicago neighborhoods and promoting social justice. His legacy will continue to inspire and inform urban planning and policy-making in the years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was David Perry’s most notable achievement?

A: Mr. Perry was the director of the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago for nearly 12 years.

Q: What were David Perry’s areas of research and writing focus?

A: Mr. Perry wrote and edited over 150 articles and more than a dozen books on topics including economic development, race, politics, urban violence, public infrastructure, urban space, and the role of universities and community foundations in American cities.

Q: What was David Perry’s approach to research?

A: Mr. Perry was known for his engaged research approach, which involved treating the people he studied as partners and sharing his findings with them to help address the problems facing their community.