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Urban Design and Planning

Author: Jenelle

Making Local Impact

Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Studios – Livable City Year, Bellevue


A group of UW Master of Urban Planning (MUP) students took their skills and knowledge from the classroom into the local community as part of the 2018-19 Livable City Year (LCY) program.

Students worked directly with stakeholders from the partnering city of Bellevue, WA over the course of two studios taught by Urban Design and Planning Professor Branden Born. These studios focused on researching and developing designs for Bellevue’s new Civic Center.

The project

As the future gateway to Bellevue, this project presented an opportunity to enhance Bellevue’s civic identity and create a vibrant downtown. The Bellevue Civic Center will include the Downtown Link Light Rail Station, important civic and cultural buildings, a proposed lid over I-405 to provide better neighborhood cohesion, as well as new park, pedestrian, bicycle, and recreational connections to other sites within the surrounding urban context.

Students collaborated to identify design goals for the site. These included improving connectivity, addressing challenging topography, adding affordable residential and commercial uses, and introducing human scale design and civic functions.

The resulting research and evaluations fueled the creation of three final designs, each structured around one unique principle:

  • “intimacy” – characterized by green infrastructure, rooms, and local residents. Focus on using site topography as an advantage for green space and community gathering.
  • “civic home” – characterized by space fluidity, vertical recreation, and affordable opportunities. Focus on maximizing residential units next to the future light rail.
  • “cultural center” – characterized by civic identity, local economy, culture, and diversity. Focus on art and affordable retail spaces as key aspects for a vibrant, culturally engaging civic space.

The results

Students presented final designs to the stakeholders at the end of spring quarter. This project was also added to the extensive catalogue of research, findings, and recommendations from all thirty LYC Bellevue projects. Over 250 UW students contributed to this catalogue, bringing perspectives from a variety of schools and colleges within UW.

This massive collaborative undertaking resulted in the generation of innovative ideas and new solutions. It also received an award, with the City of Bellevue being named Outstanding Community Partner by a national group of universities.

Once design ideas had been developed, each studio team began to develop a draft plan to show to stakeholders. LCY STUDENT TEAM

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

> To learn more about the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program, visit the website here.

> To learn more about the Livable City Year (LCY) program, visit the LCY website.

Let the Record Play

CEP Grad shares stories of local black musicians in new podcast

Nyles Green – 2019 Community, Environment and Planning (CEP)

This past year, Nyles Green – a 2019 graduate of the Community, Environment and Planning (CEP) program, undertook a unique senior project focused on preserving and sharing the stories of black musicians in the Pacific Northwest.

Through the lens of community and culture, the resulting podcast, “Let the Record Play”, became the perfect medium to capture direct interviews and explore the narrative of Seattle’s music scene from the perspective of black musicians. In these interviews, Nyles and his guests speak to the challenges and successes of being a working artist during a time of rapid change, gentrification, and displacement in Seattle. They discuss the way in which Seattle’s communities of color have vitally shaped music, arts, and culture – both locally and beyond – and how that continues today with emerging artists.

The podcast

In his first episode, Nyles spoke with twin siblings Eva and Cedric Walker of The Black Tones, a popular Seattle-based rock band. In addition to discussing their path into music and the recent release of their debut album, they touched on topics ranging from the joy of making music together, to being mislabeled within their genre, to the band’s continuing love of playing DIY shows.

You can listen to the complete episode here:

> LET THE RECORD PLAY

Bringing it all together

In addition to being a member of the graduating 2019 CEP class, Nyles is also a musician. In his senior year he served as a drum major for the Husky Marching Band, leading the band during the 2019 Rose Bowl Parade and Halftime show.

CEP allowed him to bring his passion for planning and love of music together, giving him the room and encouragement to explore how people experience place through this podcast. Nyles hopes to continue creating more episodes of “Let the Record Play” while also pursuing a career in planning, focusing on community outreach.

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

> To learn more about the Community, Environment and Planning (CEP) program, visit the CEP website.

> Let the Record Play | Part of the Sound Bite podcast network created by The Daily, the University of Washington’s student-run newspaper.

Beyond the Classroom

Bringing academic knowledge into real-world challenges

Dolores Velasquez – 2019 Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management (MIPM)

Dolores Velasquez, a 2019 graduate of the Masters in Infrastructure Planning and Management Program (MIPM), is a first-generation college student from Ventura County, California.

Prior to attending the UW, Dolores obtained a BA from Johns Hopkins in Psychology, with a focus on neuroscience. Her decision to move into infrastructure planning and management occurred after gaining professional experience.

Starting the MIPM program

After her undergraduate studies, Dolores worked in real estate, including managing loans and a portfolio of properties. It was through that experience that she became interested in exploring issues around the housing sector. Dolores decided to enter the MIPM program to better understand the interconnectedness of policy, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.

As a resident of a coastal city, Dolores also recognized the impact that sea level rise would have on infrastructure, and in turn, housing access and affordability. What she didn’t anticipate upon entering the program was how she would experience firsthand the impact of another climate-driven disaster, the increased prevalence and intensity of wildfires.

The Thomas Fire

During her time as a student, the Thomas Fire ravaged her community and forced many of her tenants who worked in nearby agricultural fields into unemployment. Her high school in Ojai burned down within hours as she was sheltered by only a few miles of strawberry fields in nearby El Rio.

Through the MIPM program, Dolores learned about risk analysis, emergency management, and business continuity. She was able to draw directly on her academic experience to help her understand and navigate the past two years of her community’s recovery. Dolores’ exposure to the impact of the wildfires highlighted the spiraling need for adequate and affordable housing post disaster. She hopes to apply the knowledge she gained in the MIPM program to be a better advocate for smart development to ease the housing crisis in California.

Forest Service Photo by Kari Greer

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

> To learn more about the Masters in Infrastructure Planning and Management Program (MIPM) program, visit the MIPM website.

UDP PhD Program 50th Anniversary

Interdisciplinary PhD in Urban Design and Planning: 50 years of Excellence

Reception – May 30, 2019 | Gould Hall, UW Campus (Seattle)
Seminar – May 31, 2019 | Allen Library, the Petersen Room, UW Campus (Seattle)

The Department of Urban Design and Planning celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Urban Design and Planning PhD program on May 30-31 2019. A welcome reception kicked off the event and provided an opportunity to reconnect on Thursday evening.

On the following day – Friday, May 31 – a symposium was held. It featured speakers and panels focusing on interdisciplinary efforts in urban planning. The full symposium schedule can be viewed below:

Symposium Schedule:
Trends in Interdisciplinary PhD Education and Research in Urban Design and Planning

READ MORE

CLAIMING SPACE

Women of Color in Community Planning + Design

Seminar – May 16, 2019 | Architecture Hall, University of Washington Campus (Seattle)
Panel Discussion – May 17, 2019 | Henry Art Gallery and Allen Center for The Visual Arts (HAG)


CLAIMING SPACE was a seminar and intersectional conversation with landscape architect Diane Jones Allen, transportation equity planner Naomi Doerner, and community organizer Yordanos Teferi.

These professionals share the common characteristic of centering communities of color from a foundation of advocacy and design for democracy. Their work traverses themes of transportation, environmental justice, and cultural preservation, from New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to Seattle’s Othello neighborhood.

This event was hosted by the Diversity Committee in the Department of Urban Design and Planning. The program was primarily funded by the University of Washington Office of Equity and Diversity. Additional funding support came from The College of Built Environments, Deans Office, The Department of Urban Design and Planning, Urban @UW and The Department of Landscape Architecture.

Claiming Space – UW Department of Urban Design and Planning from UW College of Built Environments on Vimeo.

Professionals Council Lecture – John Rahaim


URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL LECTURE

Can Planning Save the City’s Soul – 21st Century San Francisco

John Rahaim
Planning Director for the City and County of San Francisco

Lecture – May 7, 2019 | Architecture Hall, University of Washington Campus (Seattle)

On May 7, 2019 John Rahaim kicked off the first Department of Urban Design & Planning Professionals Council lecture.

Rahaim was appointed Planning Director for the City and County of San Francisco in January 2008. In that role he is responsible for overseeing long range planning, environmental reviews, and development entitlements for most physical development in the City.

Prior to his appointment in San Francisco, Rahaim was Director of Long Range Planning for the City of Seattle, and was the Founding Executive Director of CityDesign, Seattle’s office of Urban Design founded. In his lecture, presented insights from his career as a professional planner and leader on contemporary planning issues.

You can listen to a recording of the full lecture here:


Forging New Ground in Data Privacy

UW MIPM grad receives award for innovation in the public sector

Ginger Armbruster, Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management (MIPM)

As the chief privacy officer (CPO) for the City of Seattle, University of Washington Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management (MIPM) graduate, Ginger Armbruster, is on the forefront of shaping the rapidly evolving world of data privacy.

Armbruster is part of a new order of civic executives setting the standards around privacy practices in the public sector, helping to forge a future that utilizes the benefits of data-informed planning while maintaining individual privacy. Her efforts to improve the understanding of and best practices around data protection and privacy have recently garnered her national attention. Armbruster was recognized as one of the 2019 recipients of Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers awards. This award honors individuals and teams who are working to make the public sector more efficient, data-driven and equitable for government and citizens alike.

“It is so gratifying to receive the attention of experts in the field and in the area of technology generally” Armbruster said. “My move to privacy was a mid-career change, and to have achieved this recognition for adding to the body of expertise for municipal privacy at the beginning of my privacy career is tremendous.”

Along with a team of privacy specialists, Armbruster is leading the efforts to strengthen data privacy for the City of Seattle, ensuring that the data collected and used to provide essential services across city departments is appropriately managed. As data analytics and predictive technology becomes more and more common in the public sector, citizen-collected data is increasingly used to inform the development of more efficient technologies and infrastructure for the benefit of the urban environment. Everything from mass transit to garbage collection is being informed by data, and the legal/ethical framework around managing all of this sensitive information can be complex. For local and state governments, the need to ensure adherence to privacy principles while building awareness around their importance, both internally and with the public, is essential.

Armbruster’s pathway into privacy and data protection began during her first year in the University of Washington MIPM program. The flexibility of MIPM’s online learning platform allowed her to gain valuable internship and work experiences at the City of Seattle while enrolled, bringing the classroom into a professional context. The opportunity to learn on the job while earning an advanced degree accelerated her career trajectory and opened new opportunities along the way.

“The MIPM program allowed me to get my degree while working and introduced me to the concepts and issues that really interest me both personally and professionally. I found a job that is intellectually stimulating and personally fulfilling, and that would not have happened without the program content and opportunities to tailor my coursework. Practically, the master’s degree put me in line for more senior roles and higher pay” Armbruster said.

Central to Armbruster’s vision of success in her role as one of the first CPOs for the City of Seattle is the desire to help people. She cites the opportunity to encourage her fellow colleagues, both in Seattle and beyond, to grow in their understanding about privacy issues as one of the things of which she is most proud. In collaborating with other professionals across the country, Armbruster has shared lessons learned, helped to develop guiding materials, and supported the creation of new privacy programs in other municipalities, helping set the foundation for a stronger governmental network of informed data privacy practices.

To learn more about the Master of Infrastructure Planning and Management (MIPM) online degree program, please visit the MIPM Website


ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers awards
Government Technology’s profile of Ginger Armbruster – Chief Privacy Officer, Seattle

The Art of Black Urbanism

The Art of Black Urbanism

Panel Discussion – February 6, 2019 | University of Washington Campus (Seattle)
Exhibition – February 5-28, 2019 | Gould Gallery, College of Built Environments

The Art of Black Urbanism was a conversation and art exhibition on black visibility and shifting spaces in community, presented by the UW Department of Urban Design and Planning in collaboration with BEart&urbanism. The panel included Dr. Matthew Miller, a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design’s Department of City and Regional Planning, and Jessica Rycheal, a Southern interdisciplinary story-teller and Art Director based in Seattle, Washington. The discussion was moderated by Tiana Brawley, co-founder of BEart&urbanism and a student at the University of Washington School of Social Work.

Photographic works by Miller and Rycheal, along with sculpture by Seattle artist Keith Murakata, were on display February 5-28, 2019 in Gould Gallery at the College of Built Environments’ exhibition space in Gould Hall.

Artist Statements:

Matthew Jordan Miller, PhD
Jessica Rycheal
Keith Murakata

About BEartandurbanism

Featured Press
The Daily (University of Washington)
“The art of Black urbanism: Creating space to be seen”
By Aleenah Ansari – February 8, 2019

2018 Denny Awards Recipient

Improving Seattle’s parks through volunteerism

Maisha Barnett, Community, Environment and Planning Student

Maisha Barnett, CEP ’18

Recently, Interim Superintendent Christopher Williams announced the winners of Seattle Parks and Recreation’s 2018 Denny Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Stewardship. Maisha Barnett (CEP ’18), was among those recognized for their service and was awarded Seattle Parks & Recreation’s Superintendent’s Award.

Maisha has been an advocate and key contributor to the development and success of Powell Barnett Park and Jimi Hendrix Park. She has been a champion of open spaces and green spaces throughout central Seattle, including the planned new Waterfront Park. Because of her leadership, millions of dollars have been raised in support of playgrounds and open spaces, and Powell Barnett Park continues to be recognized annually as one of the best playgrounds in the United States.

The winners of the Denny Awards are a cross-section of Seattle’s most creative, dedicated and hard-working volunteers who donate precious time and energy to improving Seattle’s parks and recreation programs. In 2017, 36,198 people volunteered for Seattle Parks and Recreation, providing 196,448 hours of service.

2018 Denny Awards
“Choosing award winners is always a difficult task for us,” Williams said. “We are grateful to the many volunteers who contribute to Seattle Parks and Recreation’s mission of supporting healthy people, a healthy environment, and strong communities through a lens of equity.”

To learn more about the Community, Environment and Planning (CEP) undergraduate degree program, please visit the CEP Website

Educating for Change

Building a relationship with the Rainier Scholars to develop future community leaders and agents of change

MPH student Sophia Lesesne assists a group activity

Seattle’s Rainier Scholars program cultivates the academic potential of low-income students of color by providing access to postsecondary institutions, opening doors to future careers, and developing leadership skills. Students of color account for 66% of the students in Seattle Public Schools, and only 10% of those students are represented in the district’s advanced learning programs. These are the inequities that the Rainier Scholars program seeks to address. In collaboration with the University of Washington Department of Urban Design and Planning (UDP), they are determined to steward a relationship to create a meaningful connection with the University of Washington. Susie Wu, the Director of Leadership Development for Rainier Scholars, spoke warmly about the relationship built between UDP and the Rainier Scholars. “My hope is that our scholars become leaders of change at all levels of society. That’s what it will take to transform our society and build a pipeline.”

The students participating in the Rainier Scholars program are generally first-generation college students, negotiating an unfamiliar space without the experience from a member of their family. This is where relationships with institutions like the University of Washington are so instrumental. The access and contact with current students and professors demystify the college experience and place them at the same table with undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students. The results of this program are undeniable. The Rainier Scholars program has successfully mentored six cohorts from elementary school through college, with years of inspired young scholars to follow. There is tremendous power in seeing six years of students graduate ahead of you, building a landmark for success.

Rainier Scholars share their neighborhood mental maps

Leadership is a cornerstone of the department, exhibited by the dedication and passion of both students and faculty. Following a successful workshop in December which focused on gentrification and displacement in the Central District of Seattle, undergraduate and graduate students came together to host a second workshop focusing on public space and healthy communities. The built environment directly impacts the health of a community in lasting ways, and by understanding how planning decisions shape the distribution of resources, we can begin to heal the scars of spatial segregation. Urban design, architecture, and public health are powerful avenues for social change. This workshop helped Rainier Scholars understand the impact of these three disciplines and was aimed to inform their academic interests.

Rainier Scholars discuss how public health is affected by the built environment

UDP students led the visiting scholars through exercises introducing fundamental concepts in these fields. The first was a mapping exercise that introduced students to the methodologies of Kevin Lynch. By exploring the relationships between nodes, edges, paths, districts, and landmarks, the students were taught the vernacular to experientially communicate space so that their neighborhoods may become more legible. In illustrating the relationships between certain types of spaces, a city can be broken down into its multiple components to become more navigable. The second exercise covered asset mapping through a discussion about how space is built, and who gets to build it. Through a mental map exercise, the scholars drew places they travel, places they love, and places they feel unwelcome. CEP student Maisha Barnett emphasized “if you want to make a change in your neighborhood, YOU are the community asset.” The last exercise illuminated the connection between public health and the built environment. By decoding the language surrounding public health and the built environment, the visiting scholars unpacked the relationship between gentrification, affordability, and life expectancy. Using census tract data, the scholars found that in some cities in King County have a 17-year difference in life expectancy. Concurrent MUP/MPH student Elise Rasmussen reinforced that “where you live influences
your health” and health inequities stem from disparities in education and income.

This is what access looks like. The bridges built during these workshops will help influence a future generation of leaders in our community who are invested in change. Students in the Department of Urban Design and Planning have created a bond with the Rainier Scholars. They have actively used their skills to develop a connection through academia to empower and educate. Having students of color lead these workshops is incredibly powerful in developing the way that the visiting scholars envision their academic and professional futures. MUP student Louie Leiva spoke about the importance of urban planning, stating that “we want to shape decisions and create better living environments for our families and communities.” When we plan for a city, we plan for our home, we plan for everyone.

To learn more about the Rainier Scholars program please visit rainierscholars.org.