Case Studies #3: Arts District

CxD publishes a Case Study of the Dallas Arts District based on AIA's '10 Principles for Livable Communities'. Click on images below for larger version:

Case Studies #2: Addison Circle

In continuing our Case Studies, AIA Dallas CxD is reviews a local development to see how it stacks up to the AIA's '10 Principles for Livable Communites'.

Case Studies - Victory Park

(cont.) We are reviewing various neighborhoods and areas using criteria from the AIA's 10 Principles for Livable Communities. See entry on 9.8.11 for more introduction. Click on images below for enlargement

Urban Places - Case Studies

To continue the push toward good urban design, AIA/Dallas Communities by Design has embarked on a project to perform 'case studies' of some existing urban neighborhoods within the AIA Dallas area.

We are reviewing the urban design aspects of these neighborhoods within the framework the AIA's 10 Principles for Livable Communities Criteria; what makes a community 'livable', or rather, what makes a community rich with the best aspects of 'urban' living. It could be a suburban area, but in the case of Addison Circle, for example, the characteristics of the neighborhood are distinctly urban. It has a quality density, a sense of place, access to transportation, etc., etc. The purpose of this effort is to applaud those areas that offer these rich environments, but also encourage - or simply be another reminder of - the benefits and opportunities available with true urban environments.

These case studies are aimed at...anyone, really...to see the many benefits of active, urban places. Many architects 'drank the Kool Aid' on this topic long ago, but we think they would find it interesting as well. These areas are not published in any particular ranking or order. We may do that later. But, while we felt we would simply present compelling case studies and thereby encourage others to appreciate urbanism, we have found it has thoughtfully provoked our committee members in such a way as to, hopefully, better our individual practices of urban design. In other words, if its not helpful or interesting to anyone else, its at least been interesting to us!

The first case study is of Victory Park in Dallas, followed shortly by Addison Circle. We plan to issue these occasionally, as our schedules permit. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to send them to aiadallascxd@gmail.com.

Creek Daylighting – Enhancing Urban Creeks & Greenways

Presented by: Bud Melton, Bowman-Melton Associates, Inc.
Friday, July 29th
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Dallas Center for Architecture
$15 AIA Member, $25 AIA Non-Member

Mr. Melton will discuss how we develop our civic spaces associated with the creeks and watercourses in our urbanized areas. His interest is in long range active transportation and mobility planning, which often includes utilization of creekways, and which often is impacted – sometimes fatally - by other development influences.

Learning objectives include:

1. To more easily visualize greenway connections – what they can look like and how they can function in the context of sustainable developments associated with ecological enhancements.
2. Better understand how embracing restoration of creeks and creek daylighting can be beneficial – along with strategies for developing the discipline to complete every connection.
3. Orienting redevelopments to creeks and greenways – helping developers and their financiers aim their strategies toward higher returns on investments.
4. The retrofit conundrum – helping city dwellers and their environments stay healthy and fit, and other meteoric challenges.

Lunch will be provided.

Lake Highlands Town Center

Interesting input from StreetWorks on this development that has been stalled by the economy...

Proposed Changes to Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance

When: June 2nd, 2011at 12pm
Where: City Design Studio @ Dallas City Hall 2B North
1500 Marilla St
Lunch: Brown Bag
Cost: No Charge
CEUs: 1 Sustainable Design
RSVP: aiadallascxd@gmail.com

Presented by Mr. Steve Houser, Dallas Historic Tree Coalition and the Urban Forest Advisory Committee.
The Urban Forest Advisory Committee serves in an advisory capacity on matters of environmental stewardship, specifically concerning the care and planting of trees and the urban forest by advocating sound arboricultural and urban forest management practices.

The UFAC has presented a plan requesting Dallas elected officials to consider modifying Article X: The Tree and Landscape Ordinance. Changes proposed are based on input from developers, architects, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, multifamily builders, and others. The proposed changes encourage tree preservation, modify tree removal requirements, and allow city staff more flexibility.

Come listen to Mr. Houser describe these changes and more. You do not need to be an AIA/D member to attend.