Paula Jarrett Nasta currently works as the Historic Preservation and Downtown Development Planner for the City of McKinney, Texas. The position blends the practices of historic preservation with urban design and planning practices in an established and growing City. She is simultaneously working to complete her PhD in Urban and Regional Planning and Design.
As a licensed architect and a preservationist, her interests revolve around the intersections of architecture and culture in the suburbs. Paula’s previous research includes preservation of 20th century cultural landscapes and vernacular buildings. She has written and presented on the impact of zoning regulations on adaptive reuse and preservation of mid 20th century shopping malls as well as on the use of animal products in vernacular construction. While working at the University of Maryland she taught both graduate and undergraduate classes with a focus on equitability and inclusion in historic preservation. Her current research examines women’s changing societal roles on the design and development of late twentieth century suburban communities. This work has also led to studies in the use of preservation tools to keep affordable homes in older suburbs.
ADVISOR:
Donald W. Linebaugh
RESEARCH INTERESTS/SPECIALIZATIONS:
Women’s Spaces in 20th Century Suburbs
New Towns
Planned Suburban Communities
Mining and Textile Mill Towns
Historic Preservation, Urban Design, and Architectural History
ON/OFF CAMPUS JOB:
Instructor, HISP 650 Historic Preservation Studio Workshop
Instructor, HISP 200 The Everyday in America, General Ed, Humanities, and Diversity course
Assistant to the Historic Preservation Director
EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT:
Graduate Student Representative, Academic Procedures and Standards Committee, UMD Senate
UPRD Seminar Committee
Chapter Secretary, Mary Digges Lee Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
President, College Park Club, Lions Clubs International
Association of Preservation Technology (APT) DC member