In This Issue:

RUDC Articles: Social Responsibility? | Urban Cooling | JFK and Urban Policies
RUDC Updates: Call for Nominations | Community Design | DAT in Dublin | New RUDC Webinar
AIA: New Kinetic App | Sept 9 - Codes Webinar

Do Architects Have Social Responsibility?

by Nikolaus Philipsen, FAIA

AIA has ensured that contracts aren't worded against architects' interests, that codes and regulations affecting buildings are reasonable, and that state licensing rules prevent non-architects from practicing architecture. In all of that AIA simply has the best interests of its flock in mind. But what about social responsibility? What about designing "a better world"?

Urban Cooling

by Doug Kelbaugh, Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan

Climate Change (CC) is a momentous global challenge that is abstract, large and remote, making it difficult to motivate most people to act on it with any sense of urgency. In many climate zones, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a more immediate, local and palpable challenge, with a 5 to 10 year horizon, rather than the 50 to 100 year horizon for CC. Fortunately, strategies to address the Urban Heat Island Effect are almost identical to addressing global CC.

     

John F. Kennedy and Urban Policies

by Nikolaus Philipsen, FAIA

The 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination is a great opportunity to ask: Where were cities back then and what JFK's urban agenda? An attempt of a reality check with a critical eye towards the simple narrative of the rise and fall of American cities. Even a quick review shows us a more complex history.

Call for Nominations

RUDC Leadership Group

We are seeking nominations for members to serve on AIA RUDC Executive Committee! This year, the process has been moved online. Members will be required to submit a resume and a letter of interest for each committee application. The nomination process closes at 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, October 1; after that, the link will no longer be active. Appointments will be made by the end of 2015. Please note that applicants must be Architect or Associate members; the link will not work otherwise.

Community Design Directory

The new ACSA Community Design Directory includes over two hundred organizations, covering ever-expanding geographic, disciplinary, and strategic territories. We hope this directory will be a useful public resource for practitioners of community design, for researchers, and for those seeking to learn more. The directory is currently available in three formats: a printable PDF document; a searchable listing; and a downloadable spreadsheet.

Communities by Design: What a Design Action Team in Dublin Could Look Like

In collaboration with the Dublin City Council, the American Institute of Architects is providing technical assistance for the development of a Design Action Team program pilot in Dublin, Ireland. This presentation, delivered on June 29, 2015 at the Dublin Science Gallery, provides an overview of the design assistance process and its potential application to the city of Dublin.

Webinar: Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies at a Community & District Scale

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 12:00pm-1:00pm EDT - Earn 1.0 HSW LU

Architects design cities, districts, and buildings and the impact of our present urban design approach is the source of about 70% of GHG emissions. This seminar will review popular mitigation and adaptation strategies discovered in a national survey of 200 U.S. towns and cities. The presenter will share emerging urban design outcomes from climate planning and effectiveness of popular strategies of GHG reductions at a block, district, and city scale.

AIA Kinetic App

AIA Kinetic is an initiative of the AIA Small Firm Round table that empowers the successful practice of architecture. It is primer for young architects and a resource for mid-career professional. Kinetic covers the breadth what it takes to be successful in architecture practice. It is a constantly growing collection of succinct, 250-word articles, short enough to be easily read and long enough to convey essentials of architecture practice. All users are invited to provide commentary as well as additional articles.

Webinar: Advocacy & ICC Group B Code Development Cycle

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2:00pm-3:00pm EDT - Earn 1.0 HSW LU

Several important national model codes will be crafted that will influence the state and local codes in your area that affect your practice daily. Members of the AIA Codes and Standards Committee will guide you through this process and show you how to participate AND advocate!