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November Urban Design Panel - Transitional Housing Futures

UD Proposals for Delta Park Center - UO’s Urban Design Studio

Students in the University of Oregon’s Graduate Urban Design Studio in Portland were asked to reimage the Delta Park Center in Portland, Oregon, with a primary emphasis on developing transitional housing solutions to help address the housing crisis in the city. The project aimed to address the area’s lack of identity and inadequate transportation infrastructure while creating a vibrant and sustainable urban space. Projects investigated historical and cultural contexts, conducted thorough site analyses, and developed proposals to enhance residential density, reanimate public spaces, and integrate sustainable practices. 

Key findings from the student projects include the need for increased residential density to address Portland’s housing crisis and the reactivation of public spaces to foster community engagement. Central to these proposals was the integration of transitional housing to support vulnerable populations and provide a pathway to stable living conditions. The proposals emphasized the importance of sustainable urban design, leveraging transit connectivity, and green infrastructure to create a more livable and environmentally friendly district. 

The course underscored the value of collaborative planning, involving stakeholders and community members to ensure that the projects meet local needs and promote social equity. The recommendations from the studio’s research highlight the potential for the Delta Park Center to transform into a dynamic and inclusive urban neighborhood, benefiting both current residents and future generations, with a particular focus on providing safe and supportive transitional housing. 

Speakers

Nico Larco, AIA – Professor, University of Oregon

Nico Larco, AIA, is an urban designer, architect, and professor. He leads ELEMENT/Urban Design and is a Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Oregon where he directs the Urbanism Next Center and co-directs the Sustainable Cities Institute. Prof. Larco researches sustainable urban design and is the lead author of the Sustainable Urban Design Handbook. He also researches how technologies such as self-driving cars, shared mobility and e-commerce are transforming cities. He has testified to the US Congress, has worked on research for the European Commission, is a Fulbright Scholar, and spoke at TEDx College Park.

Lora Lillard, AICP - Capital Project Manager, City of Portland

Bio TBD

Mark Raggett, AICP – Associate Principal, GBD Architects

Mark Raggett, AICP is an urban designer and planner at GBD Architects in downtown Portland. Mark’s current project list at GBD has him working in Oregon City, Redmond, Hillsboro and Portland as well as Boise, Idaho. Prior to coming to GBD, Mark led the Urban Design Studio at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability for almost ten years, helping to shape and describe a broad range of transformational projects including the City’s Comprehensive and Central City Plans. Mark believes strongly in translating design policy into action and is engaged in multiple community organizations, including the Friends of Green Loop and Portland’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

UO Portland – Spring 2024 Urban Design Studio Students

Image Credits: Mariella Hirschoff, Nick Hodge, and Emma Gabriel

Earlier Event: November 14
Oregon Architecture Awards Celebration
Later Event: November 20
AIAO SFx Coffee Break