Design Matters: Six Questions, Many Answers Six questions. So many answers! Meet national leaders from three collaborative design disciplines -- American Institute of Architects, American Society of Landscape Architects and American Planning Association -- and see how each tackles the same six questions. Hear how they meet similar design challenges but with different values and priorities for why design matters. A series of three questions will be addressed by the panel to begin the discussion, and then the audience will expand the conversation by posing additional quesitons and issues that they face. Moderator: Ron Stewart, AIA, Principal, ZGF Architects, LLP, Portland, Oregon William Anderson, FAICP, President, American Planning Association; Principal/Vice President, Director of Economics and Planning for US West, AECOM, San Diego, California Mark A. Focht, FASLA, PLA, President, American Society Landscape Architects, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Russell A. Davidson, AIA, Vice President, 2016 President Elect, American Institute of Architects; President, Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson, Mount Kisco, New York

1. DESIGN MATTERS – Rail-Volution 2014
Mark A. Focht, PLA, FASLA
President
American Society of
Landscape Architects
2009 Award of Excellence
Buffalo Bayou Promenade
Houston, TX
SWA Group

2. American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
The Society’s mission is to advance
landscape architecture through
advocacy, communication, education,
and fellowship.
• Founded in 1899
• 15,400 ASLA members
• 95 accredited landscape
architecture programs
• Landscape architects licensed
in all 50 states

3. Complete Streets – Multiple Modes of Transit
• Replaces outdated
automobile-centric roads
• Allows pedestrians, bicyclists,
transit users, persons of all
ages and abilities, and others
to safely access our nation’s
rights-of-way.

4. Connects Communities / Public Transportation
• Locates housing, work and retail within
walking distance of a bus or rail station.
• Creates better access to jobs and other
economic opportunities for working
families.

5. Walkable Communities / Active Living
• Reduces automobile dependence
• Improves health / fights obesity
• Improves economic vitality

6. Positive Economic Impact / Increases Property Values
• Special events generate public
interest and economic activity.
• Fosters adjacent private investment.
• In Houston, TX the Bagby Street
project resulted in a 20% increase in
the rental market.

7. Improves the Environment
• Manages stormwater
• Increases tree canopy
• Reduces ambient temperature
• Removes air and water
pollutants
• Improves habitat
• Educates the public

8. Increases Sense of Safety
• Varied lighting sources and levels
increases safety and security.

9. Improves Quality of the Public Realm
• Enhances the public’s appreciation
of design and quality materials.
• Utilizes durable, longer-lasting and
easier to maintain materials.
• Shows someone cares!

10. ASLA GreenStreets Implementation

11. ASLA GreenStreets Implementation

12. ASLA Federal Advocacy
Federal Priorities
• Active Transportation
• Investing in Green
Infrastructure
• Community Revitalization
Through Parks
• Supporting Our Small
Businesses
Active Transportation
• Safe Streets Act
• Transit-Oriented Development
Infrastructure Financing Act
• New Opportunities for Bicycle
and Pedestrian Infrastructure
Financing Act
• Highway Runoff Management
Act
• Transportation Alternative
Program (TAP)

13. SW Montgomery Green
Street
Portland, OR
Nevue Ngan Associates
2012 ASLA Honor Award
Featured Projects
Portland Mall
Revitalization
Portland, OR
ZGF Architects LLP
2011 ASLA Award of
Excellence
Buffalo Bayou Promenade
Houston, TX
SWA Group
2009 ASLA Of Excellence
City of Greensburg
Greenburg, KS
BNIM
2011 ASLA Honor Award

14. SW Morgan/Sylvan Way
Corridor, High Point
Seattle, WA
SvR Design
Featured Projects
River Street
Batvia, IL
Altamanu, Inc.
Bagby Street
Houston, TX
Design Workshop
New City Revitalization
New City, NY
Behan Planning & Design