Assistant Professor Shantel Blakely has been appointed to the Houston Archeological and Historical Commission (HAHC). The HAHC meets at monthly public hearings and reports to the mayor. Its charge is to review the Planning and Development Department's recommendations on responding to applications for alterations in historic districts and petitions for protected landmark designation. As stipulated by the Code of Ordinances, the HAHC includes an archaeologist, a cultural history representative, a registered architect, a commercial business representative, a real estate appraiser, a builder, a historian, a preservation specialist, and four citizen representatives in addition to the position of architectural historian, which Blakely holds through spring 2025.
“As a school of architecture, we are deeply committed to scholarly innovation and meaningful service and community impact, both locally and globally. The appointment of Assistant Professor Shantel Blakely as a commissioner to the Houston Planning and Development Department is both a testament to that commitment and a recognition of her many skills,” said Igor Marjanović, the William Ward Watkin Dean of Rice Architecture. “As an architect, historian, teacher, and curator, she is well-positioned to advance the conversations about the importance of beautiful, resilient, and culturally diverse urban environments in Houston and beyond. We are deeply grateful for her service to our school and our city.”
Congratulations to Assistant Professor Shantel Blakely on her appointment to the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission.