Robert W. Marans is a research professor at the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan and an emeritus professor of architecture and urban planning. Prior to his affiliation with the University of Michigan, Dr. Marans taught at Florida State University, Wayne State University, Michigan State University and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. He has also worked as a planning consultant, and as a staff planner for the City of Detroit Planning Commission (1957-1961) and the Detroit Regional Transportation and Land Use Study (TALUS) (1965-1968).
Dr. Marans is a licensed architect and conducts research on buildings, neighborhoods, housing, parks, and the contributions of each to the quality of life of different population groups. He has written extensively on these topics and has lectured at universities and to civic groups throughout the world. He serves on the editorial boards of several journals and has been a consultant to the United Nations, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the National Science Foundation. Dr. Marans has also been a member of several other committees including the National Academy of Science Committees, also including a committee addressing the Assessment of Demand for Outdoor Recreation. He is a charter member of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and serves on the boards of the Washtenaw Land Trust and the Michigan Land Use Institute.
Dr. Marans was first appointed to the HCMA Board of Commissioners to represent Washtenaw County on June 4, 1986, and was re-appointed to a fourth six-year term in May 2004. His new term will expire May 2010. He is the seventh person to represent Washtenaw County on the HCMA Board since it was formed on May 15, 1941.
