Cleary Larkin

Cleary Larkin is a licensed architect and the Acting Director of the University of Florida's Historic Preservation Program. She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the University of Florida, an MS in Historic Preservation from Columbia University, and an MS in Architecture from the University of Arkansas. Prior roles include Program Coordinator for the Florida Resilient Cities (FRC) program and work with firms like Beyer Blinder Belle and Frazier Associates. Her research focuses on intersections of preservation, planning, and social justice, particularly historic land-use inequities and preservation as a tool for social equity.

Dr. Larkin teaches courses on historic preservation theory and practice, including summer fieldwork at Preservation Institute Nantucket. Her recent work includes a study on New Orleans' 1920s historic district designation and resilience projects in Port St. Joe post-Hurricane Michael. Her academic contributions bridge architectural practice, urban planning, and community-driven preservation strategies.

Key research themes include:

• Historic preservation policy and social context
• Equitable urban development through preservation
• Historic district designation impacts on communities

Her work emphasizes collaborative approaches between planners, architects, and communities to address preservation challenges. Current teaching includes graduate/undergraduate courses on preservation history and policy, as well as field-based research methodologies.