AIA Regional and Urban Design Committee Newsletter
March 2023
A message from 2023 RUDC Chair Nathan Ogle, AIA
Dear RUDC members and friends,
Welcome to the New Year! The Regional & Urban Design Committee has a stronger voice in our built environment after a full year of programming activities, strategic alignments, and strong engagement with membership. Our vision and commitment moving into 2023 are to consolidate gains by building greater urban design awareness in communities, our livable cities, state and local AIA member groups, and partnerships with allied professional organizations.
Join us this year as we host a variety of AIAU-moderated education panels, greet each other in person at the National A'23 Conference, and come together for a Fall Symposium in our nation's capital. AIA staff members Susan Parrish and Douglas Paul, thank you for guiding our knowledge community on this resilient journey during recent turbulent global times.
We welcome new leadership members Ashlee, Kuleya, Peter, and Rex to the Knowledge Committee. And remember to look for more inspiring opportunities to collaborate throughout the year as we promote excellence in design, planning, and public policy in the built environment, through advocacy, education, and member involvement.
Best regards,
Nathan Ogle, AIA
RUDC Knowledge Community Chair, 2023
New RUDC Knowledge Community Members
Ashlee Dingler-Marshall AICP, RPCV:
Ashlee is a certified planner, currently working as the Programming and Communications Coordinator for American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cincinnati Chapter in Cincinnati, Ohio, and served as a 2022 Urban Sustainability Directors Network's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Fellow in Tucson, Arizona. She applies her broad experience in the fields of program management, community engagement, education, graphic communications, and strategy planning to focus on communicating the value of AIA membership to members and the public, supporting the work of local chapter committees, facilitating the AIA Continuing Education System process for local participation, delivering customer service to AIA Cincinnati's nine-county community, and chapter administration. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Planning with a certificate in Geographic Information Science, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs with a minor in Urban and Economic Geography from the University of Cincinnati. She is an alumna of the Judith Koroscik Graduate Fellowship and Erwin S. and Rose F. Wolfson Fellowship at the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (UC DAAP). Her studio project experience includes team participation in a competition led by Uber and the University of Cincinnati to design for urban parking futures in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as a studio capstone in the socio-ecological dimensions of urban site design. In design teams, she has held the role of creating research-informed design and communicating to public and private audiences how policy innovation and vision (theory) could translate into improved use and built form (practice). Her recent focus has been the critical importance of applied equity frameworks within the context of sustainability and land use (climate planning, energy planning, and building efficiency), municipal-led community engagement, and policy analysis for improvement in city infrastructure, building community power in disenfranchised communities, and local development outcomes in both existing and future development.
Rex Cabaniss AIA, AICP:
As Planning & Design Director of WHLC Architecture, Rex oversees a broad range of projects throughout the southeast. His career spans over 40 years of professional practice across the United States and England. This experience in a variety of urban centers formed his interest in the planning and design of vibrant urban environments with an engaging, resilient, and human-scale character. Recent projects include planning studies for urban districts, main street corridors, traditional neighborhood developments, and a regional health district. Rex's community involvement includes the Chamber of Commerce, Historic Preservation Commission, Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, and the Planning Commission Complete Streets Committee.
Peter Darby AIA, LEED AP:
Peter Darby leads a consultant-based transportation architecture practice in Dallas focused on aviation, transit, and urban design mixed-use projects. Peter is originally from the Chicago area and attended Lake Forest College studying Urban Studies, has an undergraduate professional architectural degree from Virginia Tech and a master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Before relocating to Dallas in 2013, Peter practiced in the Northeast, including Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC.
Peter serves as President-Elect for AIA Dallas after serving as Vice President of Programs in 2022 and Director of Education in 2021 and 2017. Peter is also past chair of the Historic Resources Committee and has been an active member of Public Policy, Communities by Design, Community Honors, Codes and Standards, and COTE committees for AIA Dallas. Peter is the recipient of the AIA Dallas President's Medal in 2021 and the AIA Dallas Presidential Citation in 2021 for his efforts in leading the AIA Dallas Area Rapid Transit D2 Subway Design Advisory Committee and for outstanding service in Advocacy and Outreach. Peter also serves on other professional boards, including the Executive Committee at Large for the Greater Dallas Planning Council, and was past Chair of the Urban Design Awards from 2019-2021.
Kuleya Bruce:
Kuleya Bruce is a Professional Facilitator with a background in business, design, and construction. Academically trained as an Architect currently working in the role of Project Manager at Great Rivers Greenway. Where their work centers around the economic, environmental, social, emotional, and equitable advancement of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County residents. Kuleya has also served as a project lead in civic, federal, higher education, and commercial retail design, as Executive Director for Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois, and as Executive Assistant for the Hazelwood School District.
Kuleya's passions lie with people and the community. Especially for those individuals who may get overlooked at times. It gives her purpose to contribute to a collective, whose goal is working towards the betterment of place and experience. Through synergizing with local municipalities, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations she has aided in the construction of 7 community spaces and renovation or upgrades to over 200 residents in the St. Louis Metro Area. Sometimes that means being of service to those who serve the community at large. During her work week, she has the privilege to work with Institutions of higher education, historic preservation, government housing, and community members to improve or adapt built conditions for better use and utility.
Kuleya has served on the Springfield MO Planning and Zoning Commission, The Milly Project Board of Directors, AIA Springfield Board of Directors, AIA Springfield Equity and Recruitment Committee Leader, Missouri SAVE Coalition, and is also a Missouri Children's Division Resource Provider. Kuleya is an AmeriCorps Alumni and has been selected to be 1 of 17 AIA Next to Lead Candidates from the National office in DC. Kuleya holds a master's degree in Business Administration from Kaplan University and baccalaureate degrees from Drury University in Architecture and Art History.
RUDC at A'23
The RUDC Knowledge Community will gather at the upcoming Conference on Architecture in San Francisco. There will be two opportunities to meet and engage with other regional and urban design-minded architects. Register for both events through the A'23 Conference registration website.
On-Site Forum at the Moscone Center
In partnership with National RUDC, AIACA UDC, AIASF UDIC
Topic: California Urbanism Past Present Future | A Resilient Journey
Program: Panel Style with Local Experts/Speakers & Moderator(s)
In Collaboration w/ the KC Housing & Community Development Committee (one panelist)
Date: Friday, June 9, 2023 (10-11:30 am)
How we live, work, play, and learn is changing. The 'California Dream' of endless sun and sea, open roads, and the single-family residence opening into the backyard pool is no longer viable in their original form. Population growth, limited resources such as water, a warming world, congested roads, and diverse communities all impact our daily lives and the original vision. Urban Design provides a lens through which to look at our environment, community, and society holistically. This FORUM brings together practitioners, educators, and theorists to reflect on the dynamics of these influences for a discussion on how it impacts contemporary urbanism and livable cities. Join the AIA Regional & Urban Design Committee and the AIA California Urban Design Committee for a crucial conversation at the intersection of livable cities connecting regions through resilience. Can cities thrive in turbulent times? Our panelists will present and discuss these questions and opportunities for change and choice in our resilient cities and inclusive urban design in the San Francisco Bay Area environment by revealing the past, understanding the present, and forecasting the horizon.
Off-Site Social Event Reception at The Historic Russ Building
In partnership with National RUDC, AIA California, AIACA UDC, AIASF & AAU ++
Topic: Voices Across America | Urban Design Social Event Reception
(AIA National, State, & Local Urban Design Committees Across North America)
Program: After-Hours Social Event
Date: Thursday, June 8, 2023 (6-8 pm)
Sponsors: RMW, TRACTORgreen, Gehl, AAU School of Architecture+
Join Urban Design enthusiasts from across North America for a reception in the Historic Russ Building in downtown San Francisco and share conversation, get to know each other, and discuss the future of our livable cities with resident experts who tell the real story of this remarkable place to live, work, learn, and play. This reception highlights the ongoing transformational changes in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and beyond; and is a short self-guided walking tour from the central A'23 event concourse location. Experience the wonder of downtown as the sun sets among landmarks, cable cars, hidden alleys, and San Francisco Bay postcard views. Wander through China Town, Union Square, Belden Lane, and the Financial district on the way to the reception. You will experience fellowship, a short welcome presentation, and lite-fare food & beverage, realizing afterward that the night is young for another adventure experience of the San Francisco lifestyle. Never miss an opportunity to share your stories with others!
Upcoming RUDC panels
AIA RUDC will bring four online panels with continuing education learning units in 2023. Details continue to be developed and we will share details soon.
Register for the 2023 Urbanism Next Conference!
Registration for the 2023 Urbanism Next Conference is now open!! Please join us April 26-28 for the 2023 in Portland!
We are excited to get together in-person with experts from around the world to learn about how emerging technologies are impacting land use, urban design, building design, transportation, and real estate and what these changes mean for equity, health and safety, the economy, and the environment. Early bird rates are available until March 17.
Visit https://www.urbanismnext.org/events-subpages/registration-2023-urbanism-next-conference-2023 to register now!
State and Local RUDC Committees
We have connected with dozens of individuals representing state and local RUDC committees, but if you wish to be included in future communications and the RUDC Network, please respond to our rolling data collection via this google form: https://forms.gle/ZTxhHBaSGLSGvFEs8. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Scott Archer at sarcher@bbbarch.com.
State and local RUDC-related committees:
· AIA Austin – Urban Design Committee
· AIA Baltimore – Urban Design Committee
· Boston Society of Architects – Urban Design Committee
· AIA California – Urban Design Committee
· AIA Central Kentucky – Urban Design Committee
· AIA Cincinnati – Urban Design Committee
· AIA DC – Urban Design Committee
· AIA Detroit – Urban Priorities Committee
· AIA East Bay – Regional & Urban Design Forum
· AIA Honolulu – Regional and Urban Design Committee
· AIA Houston – Urban Design Committee
· AIA Indianapolis – Urban Design Committee
· AIA Los Angeles – Urban Design Committee
· AIA Middle Tennessee – Regional and Urban Design
· AIA New York – Planning & Urban Design Committee
· AIA Oregon – Urban Design Panel
· AIA San Francisco – Urban Design + Infrastructure Committee
· AIA Seattle – Urban Design Forum
· AIA South Dakota – Design: South Dakota
· AIA Utah – Urban Design Committee
Articles of Interest
Interact with RUDC member on LinkedIn. Here are some highlights from the LinkedIn group:
Potential Impacts of Autonomous Vehicle Deployment on Parking (Urbanism Next)
To Build a Healthier City, Begin at the Sidewalk (Bloomberg)
20-minute Neighbourhoods Are About More Than Proximity (The Fifth State)
The Economic Resilience of the Most Walkable Us Neighborhoods (Bloomberg)
10 Ways to Make Struggling Downtowns Thrive (Archdaily)
Where People Are Happiest – and Saddest – In Big Cities (Bloomberg)
City Planners Are Questioning the Point of Parking Garages (The Conversation)
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Jason Lee Larrison AIA
J.S. Held, LLC
Indianapolis IN
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