AIA Convention 2012, architects from six US cities will present how they help to shape the city of tomorrow

Thanks to increasing awareness of environmental and environmental justice concerns and a general realization that the built environment plays a huge role in the well being of both, the planet and its people, architects are presented with a huge opportunity.  As professionals who are trained to coordinate many disciplines and solve problems  holistically through the integrated approach of design we are uniquely positioned to address these concerns. But even for generalists, truly integrated design requires to move out of the comfort zone and into areas which are adjacent and outside the fields of training. Learning to engage community and achieve acceptance, learning to influence legislators or the regulatory framework, learning how designs fit into the bigger picture, learning how to reform established methods and procedures for better outcomes, these skills are not only essential for progress in our society but increasingly are a must-have to advance in our industry. This is the idea of the"Community Architect" as a change agent in the rebuilding of our cities towards a healthy and sustainable future.

To this end the Baltimore Urban Design Committee proposed a two track presentation for the National AIA Convention in 2012 in Washington DC. Those presentations were accepted. They

will showcase initiatives of community leader architects in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Detroit, Seattle and Los Angeles.

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The National Convention will be running under the slogan "Design Connects". AIA explains the motto in this lofty manner:

Design Connects implies that in a world of individuals we are stronger as a collective and design holds the power to make these connections. The architect works at the intersection of art and science and sees these not as antagonists, but each components of the solution. They are connected. They are the same. It is in this connection that the power of design is revealed. Design Connects celebrates the uniqueness of design as the synthesis of theory and practice, the relationship of the built and natural environments and the aspiration of architecture to serve the broader goals of humanity. See this somewhat annoying Convention Link YouTube clip.

Below the description of the accepted presentations:

How can the interdisciplinary and holistic knowledge of the architect be leveraged to solve urban problems? What do local AIA chapters contribute? Learn how architects and AIA components have been effective in their community in three cities across the nation as:

· activists for the community,

· advocates for good design and

· ambassadors for their profession.

In this session learn how architects in Baltimore, Detroit and Los Angeles tackled huge urban problems such as shrinkage, disinvestment, post industrial restructuring (Baltimore, Detroit) or the lack of an urban planning culture in a sprawling metropolis (Los Angeles). See how issues of health, sustainability, place making and the value of good design are common issues from east to west. See how local chapters through volunteer activities have shaped their cities and regions in the process and built credibility for the profession with government agencies and the public alike.

The presentations will stress the importance of the profession's collective efforts in supporting the ongoing renewal of communities, the advancement of good design, and the value of the design profession. The presenters will  demonstrate mechanisms to build social capital for the community as well as the profession.  They will show the importance of public policy and the value of long range planning which is based on professional principles.

The presenters will show how all these things can be done and what successful tools they have used in their communities such as research, best practice analysis, white papers, concept plans, editorials, podcasts and public forums to name a few techniques. 

Baltimore architects in their Urban Design Committee have created plan concepts, conducted public workshops and organized best practice conferences to push new concepts and ideas for over 20 years. Their scope ranges from a second Baltimore waterfront plan to complement the legendary Inner Harbor, to the opportunities of leveled urban expressways to sound urban policies in zoning, transit oriented development, inclusionary housing and sustainability.

Detroit architects formed an Urban Priorities Committee to “right-size” their drastically shrinking city and capture opportunity from the loss of population and industry. The committee organized “Detroit: By Design”, a series of exhibits and symposia to deal with shrinkage head on through public engagement, dialogue and creative, sustainable design.

In Los Angeles, William Roschen, FAIA,  the first architect in 90 years to head the Planning Commisson, assists Mayor Villeraigosa in making LA  green and healthy with transit, bike plans and a lively civic discourse about the value planning and helps other architects to become part of the process.

Boston architects in their urban design and other committees have helped to shape the dialogue around the development of the South Boston Seaport/Innovation District, Rose Kennedy Greenway (Big Dig), and future of Government Center/City Hall Plaza.

The local chapter  has cultivated a culture of civic engagement through interplay with organizations such as Common Boston and programs geared to engage the many academic institutions that infuse our region with fresh ideas (Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, Wentworth, Boston Architectural College, MassArt, etc.).

In New York the AIA Metro Chapter Planning and Urban Design Committee took an active role in PlaNYC, an unprecedented effort to prepare the city for one million more residents by 2030, strengthen the municipal economy, combat climate change, and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers. The Plan brought together over 25 City agencies to work toward the vision of a greener, greater New York.  The Chapter's supporting role in NYC's transportation renaissance will also be examined, from major projects like the long-delayed 2nd Avenue Subway to smaller initiatives such as the establishment of bicycle lanes throughout the City.

The Seattle chapter's Urban Design Committee and other ad hoc AIA member committees such as the Central Waterfront Task Force have been playing the role of community urban design conscience to the city for many years.  The UDC is currently working with the City's planning department on a multi-year initiative to add an urban design element to the municipal Comprehensive Plan, Seattle's top tier planning and policy document.  The Central Waterfront Task Force has been extremely active in advocating for the removal of earthquake damaged elevated freeway that cuts downtown Seattle off from the shoreline. 

The presentations will address typical issues of the contemporary American City and will show how intervention can be organized thorough local chapters, committee work or participation in government commissions, task forces and advisory panels. The presenters are seasoned professionals who as “citizen architects” apply the skills they have acquired in their practices, as teachers and as lecturers to their cities either as committee chairs (Baltimore, Detroit) or as head of a Planning Commission (Los Angeles). 

 

Collaboration with the community, with developers, politicians and public agencies is essential in fulfilling the civic mission of design professionals. Urban design committees and participation of architects on commissions and bodies of governance  play a vital role in providing professional know how to the community and city government and in getting architects out of their professional “silos”. See how such involvement positively feeds back into the professional practice or the university design studio.

Topics addressed will include sustainable design, smart growth, economic development, adaptive reuse, transit oriented development, value capture, economic development, community development, capacity building, social capital, form based zoning, rehabilitation codes and how the built environment influences health and welfare.  

The presentation will show the importance of connection among architects, the connection between architects and their community, the connection with local officials and government and will show the importance of holistic thinking that manifests itself in connecting across various disciplines to link architecture, urban design, zoning, transportation and land use with preservation with communication and visualization.