About John Zeanah
Helping Communities Plan for What’s Next
John Zeanah is an experienced urban planning professional dedicated to helping communities navigate growth, development, and change with clarity, vision, and a focus on results. His work blends strategy and collaboration to create plans that move from concept to implementation—grounded in real-world outcomes and meaningful public engagement.
Current Role
As Chief of Development and Infrastructure for the City of Memphis, John leads cross-sector efforts in planning, housing, transportation, public works, and community and economic development. He oversees a broad portfolio of initiatives at the neighborhood, city, and regional scale, working alongside community leaders, public agencies, and private partners.
Areas of Expertise
Comprehensive Planning
Housing Policy
Zoning and Building Codes
Process Improvement
Public Engagement
Interagency Collaboration
Implementation Strategy
Plan Writing and Organization
Award-Winning Plans
John’s leadership has shaped several nationally recognized and award-winning plans:
Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan
- Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan, APA (2020)
- Charter Award, Congress for the New Urbanism (2021)
- Outstanding Plan, Tennessee APA (2019)
- Outstanding Implementation, Tennessee APA (2022, 2023)
Mid-South Regional Greenprint Plan
- Excellence in Sustainability Award, APA (2015)
- Outstanding Plan, Tennessee APA (2014)
Writing & Public Engagement
John is a frequent speaker and writer on the topics of implementation-focused planning, zoning and building codes, and housing policy. He has presented at national, state, and local conferences and contributed thought leadership to planning publications and professional forums.
Let’s Connect
More Than Planning — Implementation
Whether developing a comprehensive plan, advising on policy, or speaking to a local, regional, or national audience, John’s focus remains the same: helping communities move from planning to action.
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