The future of Manhattan will be the focus of a weeklong exercise August
31-September 4 involving students from Kansas State University’s Department
of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning.
Students
and faculty from the department are partnering with Design Workshop, a
planning and design firm, to develop proposals for the future of the
city. The proposals will examine anticipated changes to the community
associated with the National Bio Agro-Defense Facility and expansion of
Fort Riley.
“Visualizing
the future of the community we live in
provides an opportunity for K-State landscape architecture and planning
students to make a tangible contribution to Manhattan’s future.” said
Stephanie Rolley, head of the Department of Landscape
Architecture/Regional and Community Planning. “Working with Design
Workshop is an
excellent example of how our students can partner with private practice
to learn while serving the community.”
The week will begin with
an introduction and a presentation by Kurt Culbertson, chairman of
Design Workshop’s board, at 9 a.m. Monday, August 31, in the K-State
Student Union’s Forum Hall. Then, more than 140 K-State students will
participate in a charrette, with selected teams to present their final
plans to Bob Strawn, Manhattan’s mayor; Kirk Schulz, K-State president;
Tim de Noble, dean of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design;
and city and county staff members, at 3 p.m. Friday, September 4, in Forum
Hall. Both events are free and open to the public.
“Manhattan is
going to grow,” said Mike Albert, Design Workshop associate and project
manager. “We believe that the students can make a substantial
contribution to ensure the future vitality and viability of Manhattan.”
Design
Workshop, recipient of the American Society of Landscape Architects
Firm of the Year Award in 2008, is an international firm practicing
landscape architecture, land planning, urban design and strategic
services planning. The firm combines principles of smart growth,
sustainable design and environmentally sound planning to reconcile
economic needs with the preservation of scenic, cultural and community
values. The firm has led similar educational sessions at Illinois, Penn
State, Louisiana State, California Polytechnic, North Carolina A&T,
Florida A&M, Ball State and Mississippi State.
Watch a clip from TV Channel 49 in Topeka
For more
information about DesignWeek, contact:
Stephanie Rolley, 785.532.5961
Mike Albert, 775.588.5929
