A City Architect for Austin
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City Architect news from 1997
A 28 July 2010 job posting at City of Austin Public Works for "City Architect" unintentionally launched an avalanche of emails within our Committee pondering what a "City Architect" should be: What would the impact be of a staff architect point person for design issues?
Within the context of the Comprehensive Planning process, it would appear that changes are coming which, if adopted, will prompt revisions of a whole host of ordinances and design standards. What would it be like to have a consistent, central architectural voice within City staff that could identify certain policy items that need more careful consideration?
There are, in fact, a number of architects on staff at the City of Austin. Not only are they present in Public Works, they are also on staff within Urban Design and Planning and in Austin Energy. The role of architects within Public Works was discussed by the AIA and the City's Design Commission way back in 1997, and briefly appeared in the Austin Chronicle (attached).
The relevant point for our commitee is whether the City has an architect empowered to speak with authority on design issues that would arise from the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, and if creating or refining such a role would be advisable.
After a thoughtful and well-attended meeting of our AIA Austin Urban Design and Government Affairs Committee, we have decided to take a look at what some other Cities are up to in this area. Below we will attempt to gather some relevant comments and links.
Our research volunteers: Larry (looking into Fort Worth), Steve (Denver and Savannah), Emily (San Francisco), Paul (Seattle, Munich), and Richard (Portland)
Comments
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San Francisco & Buffalo
Phillip, Bart,
I checked into the roles of Architects & if there was a “City Architect” for San Francisco & Buffalo & here’s what I’ve found so far.
San Francisco:
Although I did talk to one woman in the Department of Building Inspection who seems to think the city has a City Architect, I have yet to find anyone else who can attest to that fact that works for the city. A contact I have w/Gensler SF doesn’t seem to think they have one either. The city of SF does have some Architects employed in the Planning Department & the Department of Building Inspection but as far as I can tell there is no City Architect per se.
Buffalo, New York:
I picked Buffalo because it’s has a similar metro area – Austin pop 786,382, metro 1,705,075; Buffalo 292,648, metro 1,254,066.
They do not have a position for a City Architect either, but in addition to Public Works they also have an Office of Strategic Planning as well as the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA). The Office of Strategic Planning focuses on community planning, land use, development, as well as environmental issues.
http://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/Home/City_Departments/Office_of_Strategic_Planning
I haven’t managed to get a hold of the contact I was given at BURA, but here is their web site.
http://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/Home/City_Departments/BURA
Both groups have people in positions that outsiders assumed were Architects. The fellow in Strategic Planning is not. I have yet to get a hold of the fellow at BURA. His job title however is Engineer.
Buffalo is a much older city that has struggled with do-nut issues much more extreme than Austin has ever had to deal with, but it is interesting seeing that they have created programs to encourage development/redevelopment in their city center.
Hope this info helps & let me know if you want me to dig further.
Thanks.
Emily Layton AIA, RID
City Beautiful Movement
This was sent to me from one of our members. Certainly, if Austin's citizens were to craft and approve a visionary Comprehensive Plan, we will need both strong public and private leadership to carry it out.
Good morning.
Last discussion about a city architect sparked my interest and reminded me of the partnership between John Crichton (aristocrat) and William Burges (architect) resulting in one of the most beautiful castles, Cardiff Castle. I would venture to suggest that through history when an entity of power (a city government and/or governor/king) partnered with an architect the outcome has been lasting. J
Following a link to the City Beautiful movement. Perhaps a city architect could favor this type of urban renaissance.
Gonz.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Beautiful_movement
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