The Committee’s discussions on the possibility of requesting the formation of an American Institute of Architects-sponsored Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team came out of discussions on whether the Town should obtain additional input, such as through a design competition.
We have received information about the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team concept from N.C. State University professor of architecture Peter Batchelor, director of the North Carolina program. We also spoke with the American Institute of Architects, and people involved in a project in downtown Buffalo.
Key points are discussed below.
Concept
The American Institute of Architects draws from a pool of experts to form a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team suited to study and recommend solutions regarding urban design and planning-related issues facing a community. The team comes to the community and conducts an intensive four-day to six-day workshop, with community involvement, and then returns within the year to advise on implementation strategies. The program is offered to communities as a public service of the American Institute of Architects.
Cost
No fee is paid to the members of the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team; however, the community sponsoring the team is expected to pay for all expenses, including travel, lodging, and other costs associated with staging the workshop. Costs typically are in the $35,000-$40,000 range, according to the American Institute of Architects.
Team
Teams typically have about seven or eight members, up to as many as 10. Members are selected from pool of professionals based on their background and expertise and the issue to be studied. For example, a project in downtown Buffalo involved people from nine different firms from across the country; the fields of expertise included municipal housing, planning/urban design, finance, architecture, transportation and parking, housing development and market analysis.
Potential Steps (National Program)
1. Council appoints ad hoc committee (typically from a variety of community groups, including members of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects).
2. Committee applies to the American Institute of Architects (State or National Program) to initiate process. Application would be accompanied by letters of support from various organizations.
3. Prior to submission of application, American Institute of Architects likely would send a representative to Chapel Hill for a site visit.
4. An American Institute of Architects task group reviews Town’s application package to decide whether to form a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team.
5. If selected for a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team workshop, the Town would form a steering committee which manages event, provides space and resources, publicizes event, and assembles and interprets the team’s findings
6. Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team identified and assembled.
7. Team conducts four- to six-day workshop.
8. Team produces set of drawings, recommendations.
9. Implementation follow-up visit by three team members.
10. Steering committee and Council review team’s product.
11. Town staff writes report based on input from steering committee.
12. Council considers report.
Potential Steps (State Program)
The state Urban Design Assistance Team program likely would include most of the steps for the national process above. According to Peter Batchelor, who runs the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects program and served as Town consultant at the Downtown Design Workshop, the Town would need to start by first coming to a conclusion about its principles and priorities. Then the Council could invite him to come to the community to explain the process and give advice on next steps. A demonstration of community support (for example letters from community leaders) is helpful, as well as a Council resolution. He would make a site visit and estimate costs.
Timeframe
Preparations can take six months to more than a year after a decision is made to form a team (national or state program). The Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team workshop can take four to six days. The American Institute of Architects makes a decision on whether to form a Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team typically within a month after an application is received (either nationally or state program).
Peter Batchelor estimates that the timeframe for doing a state Urban Design Assistance Team would be Fall, 2003 at the earliest.