Regional and Urban Design Committee

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Who we are

The Regional and Urban Design Committee (RUDC) aims to improve the quality of the regional and urban environment by promoting excellence in design, planning, and public policy in the built environment. This will be achieved through its member and public education, in concert with allied community and professional groups. Join us!

2024 Symposium

The 2024 symposium will be held in Indianapolis, IN in November. Stay tuned for dates and location. Registration will open in July.

2023 RUDC Symposium

The RUDC Symposium, held in Washington, DC October 19-20, covered emerging trends, theories, and technologies that are shaping the future of regional and urban design. Watch the engaging highlight and speaker videos >.

  • 1.  Is the death of the suburbs near?

    Posted 03-14-2017 06:57 PM
    The Death of the Suburbs?

    The debate about whether the suburbs are dying has been going on for some years with convincing arguments for yes and no. But the accelerating demise of  America's large retail brands puts the debate into overdrive and fills mainstream media with alarm. Are the suburbs really dying?

    The Death of the Suburbs?
    Archplanbaltimore remove preview
    The Death of the Suburbs?
    The debate about whether the suburbs are dying has been going on for some years with convincing arguments for yes and no. But the accelerati...
    View this on Archplanbaltimore >


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    Nikolaus Philipsen FAIA
    Archplan Inc. Philipsen Architects
    Baltimore MD
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  • 2.  RE: Is the death of the suburbs near?

    Posted 03-16-2017 04:33 PM
    Most of us live in metropolitan areas where white flight since the 1950's has created central cities with the majority of the poor and persons of color, and with  under-performing school systems. As that is not likely to change anytime soon,  suburbs will continue to house 70 to 80% of the population. Many will return to the central city for entertainment and restaurants. Most will continue to shop, dine, exercise, date, go to the movies in the suburbs.  As Malls die and are replaced with multi-function entertainment and shopping villages, perhaps with residential also in the mix,  suburbanites will remain largely on the same turf.  The time has passed to expect new money for rail systems connecting downtown to suburban hubs.  Only a fraction will move to repurposed office building condos and apartments downtown.

    There will be changes in the suburban hubs for most Americans, but it is a misunderstanding of the dynamics involved to say that means the suburbs are dying. 

    Richard Rosen, emeritus





  • 3.  RE: Is the death of the suburbs near?

    Posted 03-20-2017 01:10 PM
    A reasoned, informative essay on subject poorly understood. I have to agree that closing retail giants and big boxes are a concern wherever they lay. But this is also an opportunity for creative minds.  

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    Allen E Neyman
    Rockville, MD
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