The Design Resources Center responds to several gaps in planning services currently available in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Public information and discussion about planning and design issures that transcend political boundaries are limited. In particular there is limited emphasis on visualizations, and these can be very helpful for citizens who wish to understand the impacts of planning decisions throughout the region. Currently, a single entity in the region does not exist for residents to easily obtrain public information and to view planning and design documents for proposed projects. Knowledge of planning and design issues is limited to that which is provided by local government and the private sector.
Few people realie that viable alternatives to conventional development exist.
The lack of access to information about alternatives is compounded in low-income and minortiy communities, where residents have limited experience with or access to formal government processes, and cannot afford private design services. Expected Benefits Residents are empowered to make informed decisions and provide useful imput to discussions about planning issues City, County, and University officials along with neighborhoods and developers have a neutral venue for constructive dialgoe about critical issues of mutual interest, such as community revitalization, transit and economic development. He served as five years as Department of Architecture Chair and two years as Associate Dean of the School of Architecture. In addition, he was appointed by Governor George Allen and served for two years on the Art and Architecture review Board for the Commonwealth of Virginia.