COMMUNITY GROWTH AND LAND USE PLANNING PRACTICUM M.I.T. DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING FALL 2013 COURSE DESCRIPTION

Transcription

1 COMMUNITY GROWTH AND LAND USE PLANNING PRACTICUM M.I.T. DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING FALL 2013 Terry S. Szold, Adjunct Professor Susan Silberberg, Lecturer Bernard Harkless, Teaching Assistant Tuesday Thursday 2:30-4:00 PM (H) Units Room lectures/discussion Room 3-401/403 studio space COURSE DESCRIPTION The successful city will be led not just by political and business leaders but by a host of concerned citizens who believe in the value of civic involvement. The developer, the planner, the architect, the lawyer, the preacher, the doctor, the banker, the broker, the baker, the seniors, the boomers and the X-ers will all practice the art of cityship. Those who answer the call that went out as long ago as the Tower of Babel Come, let us build ourselves a city will hold the city in their hearts and their hands. It may seem idealistic, in our hard-edged, competitive world, to discuss community building and participation in community affairs. But there seems to be a growing consensus that this indeed is important. That applies to all professions and especially to the talented individuals in the land use/built-environment business, where men and women make decisions day in and day out that affect the health, safety, welfare, and happiness of communities in this country. William H. Hudnut III, 1998 This practicum workshop explores the techniques, processes, and personal and professional skills required to effectively manage growth and land use change. While primarily focused on planning practice in the United States, the principles and techniques reviewed and presented may have international application. This course is not for bystanders; it is designed for those who wish to become actively involved or exposed to the planning discipline and profession as it is practiced today, and as it may need to be practiced in the future. 1 of 8

2 The fundamentals of the land use planning and growth management system are explored within the context of urban design and community planning practice. Discussion and review of both traditional and innovative approaches to land use planning and growth management will occur, with emphasis on participatory processes and performance-based systems. Examples of the tools and techniques utilized at the local, regional, and state levels of government will also be presented and evaluated. A major focus of the course involves student work on a client-based land use planning project in Somerville, Massachusetts. The project will enable students to draw upon and apply a variety of approaches and interventions explored in the course and readings. Class Requirements This class is a workshop. The class will meet twice weekly. Classes are 1-1/2 hours in length. At the beginning of the semester, the classes are devoted primarily to lectures and discussion. In addition to classwork, each student will be required to participate, as a project team member, in the preparation of a project for an actual client. As the semester progresses, many Thursday classes are reserved mostly for in-class work time, discussion of issues arising on the project and reflection on the planning process. During the first two weeks of class, there will be a field trip to the study area. Class sessions employ lectures, discussions of readings, case materials, role-playing exercises, and student presentations. A reader (posted on the class Stellar web site) containing journal articles, papers, and other written works relevant to contemporary planning practice and the evolution of the discipline supplements class session topics and discussion. Where appropriate to specific topics, guest speakers will present to the class and join in class discussion. Class requirements include extensive reading, ongoing assignments related to development of the plan, active class participation, field trips and site visits to the study area for community meetings, site surveys and other work, as necessary, and active involvement and contribution to the team project. It is expected that students will work diligently outside of class time, both on their own and with their teams. Student evaluations will be principally based upon each individual s contributions to the community planning project, including the preparation of the final plan report, participation in midterm and final presentations of the plan to the client and others, and submission of a short, individual synthesis paper about the planning project, and one s specific contributions to the plan for the Union Square Gateway Neighborhood of Somerville. Participation in class discussion will also be a significant factor in final grade evaluations. All class members will be asked to evaluate and grade each student in the class (including themselves) based on individuals active participation in the project and contribution to their team(s). These evaluations will be considered during the grading process. No prior training or experience in physical planning or urban design is assumed, although it is advantageous. Some exposure to imaging software and GIS is helpful. There is no final examination required for completion of the course. 2 of 8

3 Reflective Practice Reflective practice is an ongoing goal of the class. Class discussion will be used to help students understand how they think and learn in the course of action and deepen their understanding of some of the core issues of planning practice. Class time and the project are geared to explore issues faced by planners during the planning process as well as document student professional growth and experiences working in multi-disciplinary teams. Much of the reflection will focus on themes regarding values, education and actions in complex situations, as well as each student s learning experiences and view of what it means to be a good planner. Academic Integrity For information on MIT s rules on academic integrity, also applicable to this class, please go to the MIT Website: Students with Disabilities This class follows the MIT rules on the accommodation for students with disabilities, details for which are at: Instructor Office Hours Terry Szold: by appointment Susan Silberberg: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30 1:30, please sign up online Bernard Harkless: by appointment 3 of 8

4 "THE UNION SQUARE GATEWAY NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN" The City of Somerville, Massachusetts, just north of MIT and Cambridge, has a national reputation for innovative urban planning and revitalization, developed through the planned transition of Davis Square with the Red Line, the implementation of projects like Assembly Square, and new transit and development planning along future Green Line stations through Somerville to Medford. Somerville, a 2010 All-America City, has a new comprehensive plan and is working on a new 'Somerville by Design' zoning overhaul. Somerville is once again engaging the Community Growth and Land-Use Planning (11.360) course at MIT in the fall of 2013 to envision development and redevelopment of a City neighborhood. Somerville's Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) will be working with MIT students to develop a plan for the gateway to Somerville's Union Square. 4 of 8

5 Somerville is focused on being an exceptional City to Live, Work, Play and Raise a Family, by protecting and improving neighborhoods, improving pedestrian and bicycle amenities, and improving neighborhood commercial centers and squares. The City is working to implement the SomerVision Comprehensive Master Plan (2012). These initiatives are designed to encourage new growth while enhancing and promoting the historic and cultural character of the City and its neighborhoods. The Union Square Gateway is a difficult place to define. It has limited residential properties, significant industrial areas, and a number of large properties that are underutilized. The area includes large landholdings, including a big box retail store, storage buildings and a car tow lot. The area is interesting because of its immediate surroundings. It is adjacent to vibrant Union Square, site of a future Green Line station, now under construction. The Gateway sits between Cambridge, on its southern border, McGrath Highway and Brickbottom, on the eastern border, and the core of Union Square on the western border. There is ongoing planning in the core of Union Square to upgrade streetscapes and sub-surface infrastructure. There is ongoing design work for a plan that would 'de-elevate' the elevated McGrath highway, turning it into a boulevard. Across McGrath Highway, the City is preparing to remove a trash transfer facility, and working with the urban design firm of Goody Clancy to develop a strategy for creating this neighborhood. Between all of this is the Union Square Gateway, an area that has not yet benefitted directly from planning initiatives. Therefore, this project is an opportunity to define the neighborhood that sits between these other areas, and develop a plan for its future. Scope of Work: There are three key questions that the City of Somerville would like the students to answer: What is an appropriate vision for the neighborhood? What interventions can the City make to encourage that vision? How might the City finance those interventions? The Mayor has dedicated significant resources to capital improvements in and around Union Square, which can serve to implement some initiatives, but identifying additional creative programs and funding sources is encouraged. Previous neighborhood plans completed by the class have implemented recommendations through new zoning, state and local funding for streetscape improvements and private development initiatives. Additionally, the Union Square Gateway Plan should address the following questions: What type of specific interventions (eg. pedestrian improvements, wayfinding, parking improvements, green space, traffic calming, etc.) can the City make in order to encourage appropriate projects, and stabilize the neighborhood? Are the current zoning codes and guidelines sufficient for the district? Specifically, how can the zoning serve to ensure that it preserves walkable neighborhood-oriented residential, retail and mixed-use within its borders? What is the appropriate use for vacant and underutilized structures in the district that could serve as redevelopment catalyst sites? Potential catalyst sites include a business corridor, underutilized industrial complex and a half-vacant retail development. 5 of 8

6 How can the neighborhood s character be strengthened, addressing concerns about building form, site circulation and pedestrian amenities without detracting from the unique character of the adjacent areas? What costs are involved in implementing the aforementioned interventions? Deliverables: A Final Plan Report and plan consisting of text and graphic material reflecting the scope of work above, and the work and analysis performed by the students, shall be submitted at the conclusion of the semester. Two presentations are required: 1. A Preliminary Findings public presentation in late October A Final Plan Report public presentation near the completion of the semester (early December). In addition to officials from the Department of Planning and Development, members of the community, the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, Planning Board, and other interested parties will be invited to attend each meeting. Students will meet with representatives of the City at the beginning of the semester including contact liaisons from OSPCD. Students will have the opportunity to coordinate interviews with members of these groups as well as area business owners, local residents, and other interested parties. An executive summary of the final plan report and recommendations may be submitted to the City for distribution and review before the final meeting. A camera-ready copy of the Final Plan Report will be submitted to the City, within 21 days after the final presentation, along with a (to be agreed-upon) number of printed copies. An electronic copy shall also be provided, in a format that allows for it to be posted to the City s web site. The Final Plan Report will also be posted on a departmental web site at MIT. 6 of 8

7 CLASS OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE PART I: FUNDAMENTALS: LAND USE PLANNING, REGULATION, AND SMART DEVELOPMENT Week 1: September 5. Week 2: September 10. September 12. September 15. Week 3: September 17. September 19. Week 4: September 24. September 26. Week 5: October 1. October 3. Week 6: October 8. October 10. Week 7: October 15. October 17. Week 8: October 22. October 24. Introduction Course Introduction Project Introduction and Start up Community Planning Project Introduced - Guest: clients Discussion of Client Project - Project Teams Formed Sunday Tour of Study Area (optional) 1:30am 3:30pm Neighborhood Planning: History, Tools, and Principles; Visioning The Planner s and Urban Designer s Tools; Approaches and Principles Visioning the Future of Places - Guest: Ron Mallis Making a Plan: Where to Begin? Plan-Making at the Community Level Envisioning the Union Square Gateway Neighborhood Teams Present Findings Planning for Growth and Zoning Controls Zoning Controls The Basics Land Use Planning, Regulation, and Property Rights Linking Smart Development & Transportation The Mobility Challenge for Planning; Transit-Oriented and Infill Development Project Work Day Linking Smart Development & Transportation (continued) Holiday no class (Columbus Day) Urban Design for TOD Development, Parking Design, and Streetscape Design/Traffic Calming Zoning Innovations, Mixed-use Development, and Incentives to Broaden Housing Affordability Incentive-Based Techniques, Mixed-Use Development, and Methods to Broaden Housing Affordability Project Work Day Discussion / Debriefing Preliminary plan findings will be presented by project teams to our client and the public the third or fourth week of October. The class topic schedule may change slightly depending on the presentation s exact date. 7 of 8

8 PART II: PLACE-MAKING: TRENDS, METHODS AND APPROACHES Week 9: October 29. October 31. Week 10: November 5. November 7. Area Economic Development Planning Area Economic Development Planning: Tools and Prospects - Guest: George Proakis Project Work Day Community Design, Placemaking, Form-based Codes Community Design, New Urbanism, and Alternative Regulatory Approaches. What s Applicable to the Union Square Gateway Project? Guest: Emily Talen Project Work Day Discussion/Debriefing PART III: PLANNING AND DESIGNING RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENTS Week 11: November 12. November 14. Week 12: November 19. November 21. Landscape Planning & the Greening of Places Landscape Planning, Ecological Considerations and Sustainability Project Work Day Sprawl and Smart Development Thwarting Sprawl; Smart Growth and the Evolution of Suburbia Project Work Day PART IV: INTEGRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION Week 13: November 26. November 28. Week 14: December 3. December 5. Week 15: December 10. December 13. Plan Implementation Client meeting with project teams (tentative) Holiday no class (Thanksgiving) Final Plan Recommendations and Implementation Strategies The Role of Planning and the Planner in Society: Class Wrap-up and Synthesis Final Plan Work Day Final Project Preparation and Synthesis Final Plan Work Day Submission of Final Plan Reports Final plan recommendations will be presented by student project teams to our client and the public on the first week of December. 8 of 8