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