YOU ARE INVITED:

To the Landscape Architecture Summer Studio Final Exhibit

Kansas State University landscape architecture students have been developing their ideas for the future of Manhattan! You are invited to view the final projects and meet with the students to discuss their ideas at an open house exhibition on the K-State campus.

Friday July 17, 2009. 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

104 Seaton Hall

SITUATION:

Manhattan, Kansas is on the threshold of significant change. 
The selection of Manhattan for the National Bio Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) and the associated economic growth in the bioscience research industry will catalyze many changes in the Manhattan region. Simultaneously, a surge of new families will be arriving as a result of the BRAC expansion of Fort Riley.

How will these influences affect the people, economics, and land development patterns of the Manhattan Area? To what degree will these influences make a difference in the way people live, work, learn, and recreate? How can creative community planning initiatives formulate a brighter future? Although the broader effects of these unraveling events for the region are yet unclear, one thing is for sure: Manhattan is going to change.

RESPONSE:

This is a pivotal moment to re-evaluate current plans for land development and to investigate new strategies for growth.

During the summer of 2009, graduate students in the studio course MKS futures at Kansas State University have undertaken a process of research, mapping, critical design and discussion with representative members of the community in order to explore these important changes.

Through this process, students have identified dilemmas concerning Manhattan’s future and are suggesting key strategies to ensure the coming changes are as beneficial as possible.

Questions?

Contact the studio professors:
Blake Belanger, 785.532.1096
Jason Brody, 785.532.5368

LAR 646 is an eight-week graduate level community planning and design studio in the Department of Landscape Architecture / Regional and Community Planning, Kansas State University.