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| Center gives real-life experience to students |
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| Written by Andrew Vaughan, Contributor to The Shorthorn | ||||
| Tuesday, 09 June 2009 07:06 PM | ||||
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Students from the schools of Urban and Public Affairs and Architecture will help the city develop its neighborhoods starting June 22. The partnership will work in the Arlington Community Design Center located inside City Hall. The partnership’s goal is to “enhance the livability of Arlington.” Students will research civic design issues and work on city-planning projects. Professors and city employees will act as project managers, monitoring students’ progress. Residents can also suggest city improvements. Gincy Thoppil, planning project manager 2, is one of the city employees that will manage projects at the center. “This really should improve the city’s image, but both entities benefit,” Thoppil said. “It will enhance UTA’s planning and architecture programs, students will get hands-on experience with real-time projects and will result in unique designs that promote longevity and add value to the city.” Architecture assistant professor Wanda Dye said this is a great learning experience for her students. She worked in similar programs and said she is confident about the center’s development. “The students are excited,” she said. “This will give them experience by helping them understand the constraints the city must work under while dealing with a variety of neighborhoods. With the economy, it will be a slow effort. But it is an experiment and that is a step in the right direction.” Bob Wilkins, SUPA’s Institute of Urban Studies training and outreach director, anticipates the center’s opening. “You’ve got architecture students plus planning students learning with city faculty. That’s really the best you can get,” Wilkins said, “What we are doing is help neighborhoods grow and give them a mark of distinction.” The center will be in City Hall’s first-floor storefront area. The center will include a display of in-progress student projects, which will be open for public discussion. The design center will also offer lectures and classes on planning and urban design. The center is expected to open by June 22. Hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Views: 1665 | E-mail
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 August 2009 10:30 AM ) | ||||
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