A number of important issues dominated the National Convention and Exposition of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in early May. Government officials and local leaders spoke about need for school construction, smart growth, and urban revitalization, among other important topics. A record-breaking number of registrants attended the convention with the theme “New Century, New Vision — Livable Communities for America’s Future.”
A call for greater support for school modernization and construction was sounded by Richard Riley, Secretary of Education. During his speech at the opening session, he acknowledged the vital role played by architects in “designing creative spaces in which to educate our children.” He also urged support of a “promising piece of bipartisan legislation” proposed in the House of Representatives .A publication issued by the Department of Education, entitled “Schools as Centers of Community: A Citizens’ Guide for Planning and Design” is available through http://www.ed.gov/inits/construction/city-centers.html or by calling 1-877-4ED-PUBS.
A panel of prominent US mayors spoke at the AIA’s Urban Stewardship Panel, citing achievements in diverse areas to emphasize the needs of cities and towns in today’s environment. Mayor J. Christian Bollwager of Elizabeth, NJ, detailed how a brownfield was transformed into the largest outlet shopping mall on the East Coast. How TEA-21 and infrastructure spending in Tulsa proved helpful in Tulsa was detailed by the city’s Mayor M. Susan Savage. Persons streaming to Charlotte in search of better living and working environments have influenced the city’s wise growth and profitability, according to Charlotte’s Mayor Patrick McCrory. The Honorable Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta, explained his concept of “community” and emphasized the importance of investing both economically and socially in communities.
Based on a report from AIA’s Angle
