As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, the AIANN 2023 Board of Directors made it a primary goal to focus on encouraging member interaction and participation in the growth and change planned for our community. From this focus, The Integrator series was launched in May to meet regularly, start casual conversations, share ideas and express concerns as we talk about our region’s future built environment.
The Integrator, set up as a Forum series, fosters interaction between architects, engineers, designers, contractors, developers and key decision-makers. The goal is to consistently come together to become a unified voice and resource advocating for positive change. We arranged the event to provide a venue of collaboration, comradery, insight, creative discourse and, most importantly, a place to generate relationships.
Searching for a Shared Vision
Several agencies make up the voices of change in the Truckee Meadows, including the city of Reno, the city of Sparks, Washoe County, Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency, our University and Community College, EDAWN and many more. With all the governing bodies, how can we come together in search of a shared vision? With only two Integrators hosted, we are seeing a clear headway to becoming a resource to our community decision-makers. Stakeholders from our local agencies are open, curious and interactive in these discussions. They are attending to both shed light on the challenges and priorities that need attention and listen to ideas and collective suggestions. From development along the river to satellite entertainment districts, downtown revitalization and trends affecting the places we create, our chapter is now host to one of the most dynamic dialogues that can impact the soul and spirit of our region.
Crafting a Collaborative Plan for the Future
To date, the dialogue has raised interest in a diversity of spaces and places that will attract and support a diverse and meaningful quality of life and value in our community. We’ve discussed the responsibilities that each agency has toward policies, data gathering and master plans. We are pushing the conversation beyond regulations, and the consensus is quickly targeted around defining a vision that articulates how to commit to the quality of character, identity and connectivity in all new projects to increase vitality and prosperity in the areas of placemaking, innovation, business attraction, the arts and entertainment.
Reno and Future Trends
Reno has been known as “America’s Adventure Place” for over 15 years, after being recognized as the “Biggest Little City in the World” for decades. We have four seasons of impressive events and entertainment, close proximity to hiking, biking and skiing, an arts and culture community that has been notably enriched over the past few decades, and we have an impressive whitewater kayak park in the middle of our downtown. And, in the serene setting of Sierra Nevada, we have the natural treasure of the Truckee River running through the center of the city.
Our decision-makers always bring to light the issues and matters that they are presented. We can stay in conversation, collaborate with them and present viable concepts and solutions for consideration. We can also support the agencies in those quality masterplan ideas that are meant to address what they see as important. Our downtown and redevelopment zones and new areas of the community continue to need the voice of architects to help the community evolve, with placemaking and aesthetics as an important part of a bigger vision. One that becomes unified between agencies, as well.
Through the Integrator series, this is an opportunity to give back to our community. Outside Magazine deemed Reno as the “Happiest Place to Live in the U.S.,” which is a remarkable status. Based on facts and figures, their assessment was made based on outdoor access, affordability, a safe environment, diversity and freedom for residents to be who they are. The article notes that we were once recognized for having legalized gambling and being the place for a quick divorce. Our Biggest Little City in the World is now hyped and enjoyed by those who value large public land access, a mountain feel, bike parks, walking and biking trails, live music events and a relatively strong arts and culture scene. With the spirit of place also being the built environment, let’s bring more architecture, landscape architecture and worthwhile destinations across our valley to the forefront of our future.
AIANN is excited that our local agencies are interested in what architects have to say. They are participating in our Integrator series meetings and welcoming the inquiry and insight. Our hope is that this effort is met with strong participation from our members and a collaboration that brings us all together as a unified voice to make a difference.
