Large scale new urban developments have the opportunity and responsibility to create transformative, regenerative communities - places that “make” more than they “take” and promote inclusive prosperity, well-being and connection to ecosystems. The Living Community Challenge offers a compelling framework to realize this goal. This session will present a case study of Sacramento Valley Station, an in-progress mixed use master plan centered on a multi-modal transit hub pursuing the Living Community Challenge, with perspectives from the owner, architect and sustainability lead.
Cities and the built environment are the spatial expression of our society, and how the built environment is planned and designed fundamentally determines or “locks in” urban sustainability performance levels for the next 50-100+ years. Winston Churchill’s quote, “We shape our Buildings; thereafter, our buildings shape us,” rings even more true at the urban scale – our cities shape our society. Regenerative, transformative urbanism plays a formative role in creating a circular economy of inclusive abundance that is the necessary material basis for sustainable and equitable cities and society. The Living Community Challenge is an effective vehicle for guiding new developments to achieve these lofty goals and become places where all living beings thrive.
This session will begin with an overview of goals for regenerative, transformative urbanism, and consider how the Living Community Challenge addresses them. They will then provide a case study of Sacramento Valley Station, an early stage registered Living Community Challenge project in California. Sacramento Valley Station is a mixed use master-plan centered on a new, multi-modal transit hub in downtown Sacramento, and including residential, retail and office components. Panelists will include the architect/planner, sustainability consultant/engineer, and the owner, highlighting the theme of integrated design and community engagement. Panelists will offer varied perspectives on the decision to pursue LCC, the project concept, and the approach to achieving each imperative in the master plan.
This session is approved for the following continuing education credits:
- 1.25 LFA credits
- 1.25 AIA LU credits
