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1. |
Design on a Human Scale
(www.aiaflint.com)
Compact, pedestrian-friendly com- munities allow residents to
walk to shops, services, cultural resources and jobs, and can
reduce traffic congestion and benefit people’s |
6. |
Build Vibrant Public Spaces
(visitmanistique.com)
Citizens need welcoming, well-defined public places to stimulate
face-to-face interaction, collectively celebrate and mourn,
encourage civic participation, admire public art and gather for
public events. |
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AIA Flint produced a
cooperative master plan for the Whaley’s Children Center and
the surrounding neighborhood, including a prototype building
that can be constructed at a low cost by volunteer labor.
Whaley
residents require 24-hour supervision and therapeutic
services in a residential setting. The current center is too
small and located in a community with many socioeconomic
challenges.
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AIA Upper Peninsula made a
five-year commitment to enable at least five communities to
receive design assistance for a recognized community need.
Its first project occurred along the waterfront in
Manistique.
It included
recommendations for the construction of a bridge joining the
marina and park on the east side of the Manistique River
with the boat launch and shopping area on the west side.
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2. |
Provide Choices
(aia150.org/bl_150_aia_sw_
michigan.php)
People want variety in housing, shopping, recreation,
transportation and employment. Variety creates lively
neighborhoods and accom- modates residents in different stages
of their lives. |
7. |
Create a Neighborhood
Identity
(aiadetroit.org)
A “sense of place” gives neighbor- hoods a unique character,
enhances the walking environment and creates pride in the
community. |
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AIA Southwest’s initiative
focused on the city of Albion, specifically the Interstate
and Campus Corridors and the Central Business District (CBD).
Together, they influence
the “livability” and marketability of a five square mile
area, which is home to 9,200 residents. Infrastructure
improvements that enhance the “walkability” of the city,
design guidelines that encourage mixed-use development, and
vibrant public spaces that connect Albion College with the
town, were all part of the wider discussion.
This project also looked
the neighborhoods of Albion, and how to improve the quality
of residents’ lives.
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AIA Detroit focused a
portion of its charettes on the Four Woods Neighborhood in
northeast Dearborn, which features single-family homes
bordered by low-rise commercial property.
Central to this study is
to understand and encourage the stylistic expression of the
Middle Eastern population, which recently voiced its desire
to build multi-generational “dream homes” that celebrate
their southern Lebanese heritage.
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3. |
Encourage Mixed-Use
Development
(aiagv.net/documents/217.html)
Integrating different land uses and varied building types
creates vibrant, pedestrian-friendly diverse communities. |
8. |
Protect Environmental
Resources
(mecprotects.org)
A well-designed balance of nature and development preserves
natural systems, protects waterways from pollution, reduces air
pollution, and protects property values. |
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AIA Grand Valley hosted
three charettes designed to create workable solutions to
community design issues.
The main areas of
discussion included the Holland Gateway (area between 8th
Street and Lincoln Avenue), Division Avenue (specifically a
three-mile stretch bounded on the North by 36th Street, on
the South by 60th Street, on the East by Jefferson Avenue,
and on the West by US-131) and North-Central Muskegon County
(area surrounding the Michigan Adventure Amusement Park
between Whitehall Road and US-31).
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The Michigan Environmental
Council (MEC) provides a collective voice for the
environment at the local, state and federal levels.
Working with its 75-member
groups and their collective membership of nearly 200,000
residents, the MEC is addressing the primary assaults on
Michigan’s environment; promoting alternatives to urban
blight and suburban sprawl; advocating for a sustainable
environment and economy; protecting Michigan’s water legacy;
advancing cleaner energy; and working to diminish
environmental impacts on children’s health.
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4. |
Preserve Urban Centers
(aia150.org/bl_150_aia_huron_
valley.php)
Restoring, revitalizing and infilling urban centers to take
advantage of existing streets, services and buildings and avoid
the need for new infrastructure. This helps curb sprawl and
promote the stability for city neighborhoods. |
9. |
Conserve
Landscapes
(macd.org)
Open space, farms and wildlife habitat are essential for
environ-mental, recreational and cultural reasons. |
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AIA Huron Valley conducted
a series of seminars about urban design issues affecting
downtown Ann Arbor.
The broad variety of
topics included: improving the functional and visual
appearance of streets like Huron and South University,
balancing the relationship between historic structures and
new development, providing public amenities such as a
central “Town Square” and maintaining and designing new
public spaces like Liberty Plaza and the Allen Creek
Greenway.
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Michigan Conservation
Districts has a strong interest in promoting the use of
Michigan’s native plants, whether it be for home
landscaping, enhancing wildlife habitat, streamside
restoration, or re-vegetation following construction.
The right selection of
native plants for any given soil, climate and water
conditions practically ensures maintenance or re-creation of
Michigan’s ecosystems.
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5. |
Vary
Transportation Options
(aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek
07/0504/0504p_bike.cfm)
Giving people the option of walking, biking and using public
transit, in addition to driving, reduces traffic congestion,
protects the environment and encourages physical activity. |
10. |
Design
Matters
(aia.org/liv_sdat_cities)
Design excellence is the foundation of successful and healthy
communities |
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In 2007, AIA hosted a
national event called “Bike to Work Day.”
The goal of this program
was to spotlight human transportation, encourage governments
to provide infrastructure for bicycling, and increase
awareness about global warming, congestion and unsafe
streets.
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AIA’s Sustainable Design
Assessment Team (SDAT) program brings together
multidisciplinary teams of professionals from across the
country to provide a road map for communities seeking to
improve their sustainability today and for future
generations.
After lending its
assistance in northeast Michigan in 2006, the group is now
turning its attention to the city of Detroit.
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American
Institute of Architects Michigan
553 East Jefferson
Detroit, MI 48226
313-965-4100 (phone)
313-965-1501 (fax)
www.aiami.com
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