June 23, 2009

New Urban Design Center Opens
City and UT-Arlington Joint Effort to Tackle Urban Design Issues This Summer

Who: City of Arlington and the University of Texas at Arlington

What: Urban Design Center Open House

When: 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, June 26

Where: City Hall Lobby, 101 W. Abram St.

Why: To showcase the new Arlington Urban Design Center, a collaborative community development project between the City of Arlington and UT-Arlington.

Background
The goal of this project is to give UT-Arlington design students hands-on experience on real time development projects.

This summer, UT-Arlington graduate students and professors from the School of Architecture and the School of Urban and Planning Affairs will work closely with City staff from the Community Development and Planning Department on community development projects.

The urban design theory deals primarily with the design and management of public space. According to City Project Planner Gincy Thoppil, city staff and urban design interns will consult on development projects. The program facilitates public dialogue about urban design and its impact on the community, she said.

Students and professors will work with staff to research design issues and promote the principles of the Arlington Comprehensive Plan, the City’s vision for growth and development.

To learn more about this program, contact Gincy Thoppil at 817.459.6662 or Gincy.Thoppil@arlingtontx.gov.

Note to Media: Excellent video and photo opportunities of UT-Arlington planning and architecture students, professors and City of Arlington staff.