Ron Fleming is the founder and president of The Townscape Institute, a nonprofit public interest planning organization based in Cambridge, Mass. As an urban planner and designer, preservation advocate, civic leader, thought leader and change agent, Fleming's lifetime of work focuses on creating livable and sustainable cities, towns, and neighborhoods. The author of six books, he was founding chairman of the Cambridge Municipal Arts Council, is Chair Emeritus of Scenic America, and has served many other cultural and civic organizations. His philanthropic work to support initiatives to beautify and improve communities led Newport to declare "Ron Fleming Day," noting: "Mr. Fleming is a recognized authority in the role of art in creating vibrant, livable places, adding luster to Newport's worldwide reputation as a showcase of art and architecture."