Scott Clarke, AIA
Associate, PIVOT Architecture
Urbanism Next Planning Committee Member
We live in a time characterized by change. How we communicate, meet, socialize, read, and work have transformed so fundamentally that the world I knew, say, in college, now seems like a quaint work of historical fiction. So, too, will our current situation be considered by us not far from now. As we work our way through this rather perilous time, we can take stock in where we are and where we’d like to be. If there is an upside to the current turmoil, it’s that this moment represents an opportunity to reconsider things about our world that we have long considered immutable.
Technology, of course, is responsible for much of this change and some of the turmoil. Consideration of the consequence of technology to urban form is at the core of the work of Urbanism Next, a research, education, and consulting initiative of the University of Oregon. Urbanism Next is directed by Nico Larco, AIA, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design. The organization is inherently multi-disciplinary, engaging a broad range of professionals including planners, technologists, lawyers, communication people, journalists, economists, real estate experts, and others. Together, these professionals gather with the intent of understanding how our cities have the potential to evolve as new technology alters their meaning and purpose. Autonomous vehicles, micro-transit, e-commerce, and the sharing economy are all examples of technological developments that may have profound consequences to our urban environments. Mindful consideration of these and other similar issues, it is presumed, can facilitate identification of positive outcomes from these changes, and it is acknowledged that lack of careful thought about our cities’ inevitable change will very likely result in poor outcomes.
My engagement with Urbanism Next stems from my recent concentration in transit projects. For the last five years, I’ve been mostly engaged in the design of bus rapid transit systems in a variety of western states. My involvement with TriMet’s first BRT project, now under construction along Division in East Portland and extending to Gresham, led to my participation in Urbanism Next’s annual conference nearly three years ago. I shared what we were up to with the Division Transit Project in a pre-conference workshop, and then was able to participate in a captivating and well-run conference filled with great speakers, interesting topics, and good conversations. I left with a greatly expanded understanding of why I cared so much about the transit projects I’ve been engaged with, as I better understand how essential they are for the wellbeing of the cities they serve. These systems are absolutely essential elements of equitable and sustainable communities. They connect us with opportunity, food, health care, and importantly, with each other. These systems accomplish all of this while conserving space and reducing the amount of energy and resultant emissions required to provide the mobility we need to lead happy, productive, and healthy lives.
I also came away from the conference concerned that architects were underrepresented among conference attendees. This is a little disappointing, as the issues discussed are fundamental to our work, and our perspective is needed in these discussions. I often reflect on the shift of perspective that occurs when I engage in transit projects. Like most architects, I previously conceptualized my domain as extending from within some piece of real estate to, usually, a border on at least one edge formed by a right of way line. Now, I’m concerned with the space between two right of way lines, looking to the properties beyond. The public realm that lies between those two lines needs us! We are responsible for understanding the relationship between physical form and human experience. The quality of the public realm is dependent on our engagement with its design. Of course, that public realm is also profoundly affected by what is placed at its edges. Resultingly, the work of those engaged with either side of the line is of deep concern to the scope of consideration represented by Urbanism Next’s endeavors.
Two years ago, Curt Wilson asked me to represent AIA Oregon on Urbanism Next’s conference planning committee, and I gladly agreed. I’ve served since, so was engaged in last year’s conference and its transition from a physical to virtual format. The virtual conference had the same sense of vitality and relevance as the first I attended, so planning for the upcoming second virtual conference, to be held March 17-19, was done with the confidence that this format can provide meaningful experiences for its presenters and participants. I hope that you will consider joining me in a few weeks as we continue to explore the kinds of cities we aspire to create and live within. For more information see https://www.urbanismnext.org/events-categories/conferences.
Scott Clarke, AIA
Scott Clarke, AIA, is an associate at PIVOT Architecture in Eugene, Oregon. He has been engaged in bus rapid transit projects in Oregon, Utah, and Washington, as well as many non-transit projects over the last 20 years. He is a frequent pro tempore studio instructor at the University of Oregon, and was president of the AIA Southwest Oregon Chapter in 2014.