April 21, 2008—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Center for Communities by Design has selected Detroit, MI; Tampa, FL; New Orleans, LA; Fort Worth, TX; Windsor, CA; Morristown, NJ; Parma, OH; Fellsmere, FL, Kauai, HI; and Leon Valley, TX as ten communities to receive technical assistance under the Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) program in 2008.
The collaborative SDAT brings together architects and other professionals assembled from across the country to provide a roadmap for communities seeking to improve their sustainability, as defined by a community’s ability to meet the environmental, economic, and social equity needs of today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
An architect-led team of professionals including planners, hydrologists, economic development specialists, and others will be selected based on their credentials and the specific needs of each community. The SDAT will work in conjunction with local stakeholders to help shape the community’s strategy to increase sustainability. To provide the most objective assessment, team members volunteer their time and expertise and are selected from areas outside the project communities.
The scope of issues examined in each community includes:
- Detroit, MI: Water conservation, land use, affordable housing, managing urban decline;
- Tampa, FL: Revitalization of urban core, multi-modal transit system, affordable housing;
- New Orleans, LA: Historic preservation, recovery effort coordination/integration;
- Fort Worth, TX: Air & water quality, growth management, economic revitalization;
- Windsor, CA: Agricultural land uses, pedestrian-friendly corridors, building integration;
- Morristown, NJ: Analysis of all sustainable assets, long-term development plan;
- Parma, OH: Examine outdated zoning codes, urban revitalization/conservation;
- Fellsmere, FL: Housing availability, business development, expanding community parks;
- Kauai, HI: Agricultural land preservation, transportation/infrastructure, housing; and
- Leon Valley, TX: Business development, housing type variety, transportation facilities.
