Exploring Urban Excellence:
Sustaining Vibrant Urban Places in an Era of Social Distancing
Sponsored by the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence (RBA) in partnership with the Association of Architecture Organizations (AAO) and Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) as part of the CAC’s “What’s Next” series.
Bringing people, ideas, goods and services together are hallmarks of urban life. So how are places designed with that in mind adapting to the challenges—both immediate and prolonged—of the current pandemic? In this panel, we’ll discuss how designers, developers, and managers of urban developments in cities across the United States are responding and the long-term implications for creating and maintaining healthy, welcoming, and inclusive urban places.
This program was recorded on Thursday, July 16th, 2020. Access to the webinar is limited to Association of Architecture Organizations and Chicago Architecture Center members only. Continue reading for additional resources and information.
Panelists
Kimberly Driggins, Executive Director, Washington Housing Conservancy
Tom Kasznia, Principal, Corporate, Commercial and Civic Global Practice Leader, Perkins and Will
Ted Landsmark, Director, Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University
Frank Monterisi, Chief Operating Officer, Related Midwest
Todd Richardson, President, Crosstown Concourse Redevelopment Cooperative and Co-founder, Crosstown Arts
Anne-Marie Lubenau (moderator), Director, Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence

This session was live recorded as part of the Chicago Architecture Center’s “What’s Next” series.
RESOURCES
Crosstown Concourse in Memphis, TN (2019 RBA Gold Medalist)

For a detailed look at 2019 RBA Gold Medalist Crosstown Concourse check out to following:
- Crosstown Concourse: Project overview with links to additional information.
- In Memphis, Community Leadership Drives the Transformation of an Abandoned Sears Warehouse into a Vertical Urban Village: An article about the RBA’s visit to the project (published in Metropolis).
- Lively Concourse wins Bruner Gold for its open doors, array of users: A conversation with the Bruner Foundation highlighting the features of Crosstown Concourse.
- Against the Grain: A new online platform for Memphis musicians.
- Crosstown Concourse: a one-hour documentary about the making of Crosstown Concourse.
Washington Housing Conservancy

- Washington Housing Conservancy: Project overview with links to additional information.
- Washington Housing Initiative: Context and Contribution, Urban Institute: A report on the Washington Housing Initiative.
- Innovative Models to Preserve Affordable Housing Are Even More Important in the Aftermath of COVID-19, Urban Institute: An interview with Kimberly Driggins and AJ Jackson.
Perkins&Will

- Destination Crenshaw celebrates the culture of South Los Angeles as it parades down the community’s main drag, The Architect’s Newspaper: Project overview with links to additional information.
- Atlanta BeltLine Corridor Design and Trails, Perkins&Will: Project overview
Related Midwest

- The 78: Chicago’s Newest Neighborhood, Related Midwest: Project overview with links to relevant information.
- Our Community Commitment, Related Midwest: A video about working with community enterprise as a global model for developers.
Dukakis Center for Urban Research & Policy, Northeastern University

- ‘Abysmal record’: Ted Landsmark on Boston’s real estate industry and race, Boston Business Journal: A conversation about Boston’s real estate industry and racial justice.
- Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count, The New York Times