don't be afraid of transformation

The 7th "Re-Shaping Rochester" series is my first. I'm very interested in - and inspired by - the mission of the Rochester Regional Community Design Center. 

As part of the Emerging Rochester Architect's "ERA @" series, we've been participating together in some of the many wonderful things already going on around Rochester, in pursuit of our paired missions for Professional Development and Entertainment / Camaraderie. To that end, there were a handful of 'intern architects' from the Rochester Region generously added to the guest roster for Peter Park's inaugural session in the 2012 program, and I was among the very impressed.

His talk was entitled "Transformation: Don't be Afraid of it." I couldn't quite keep up with Peter in drawings or notes, but here were some of my efforts:

(I think they clarify why I hope you'll be seeing some Visual Notes & hand lettering work around these parts some day soon - my rapid work is often not as attractive or legible as the subjects warrant!)

The neighborhoods based removal of the Park East Freeway in Milwaukee and the transition to a form-based code in Denver were among the many city planning initiatives Park had lead and used, successfully, to elucidate his points.

My two favorite parts of Peter's talk were:

1. the fact that many of his initiatives have worked for us in local small cities, or were easily understood as replicable in other places, and
2. his great speaking presence - ice breakers & quotables were not only entertaining, but engaging: 

"I'm Peter Park. I'm a planner. And I think planning matters."
(so watch out for what I say! and yet, I'm here as an expert, and as a passionate individual who deeply believes in what I'm up to... )

If you're in Rochester, I hope to see you at the next talk!