The Waller Creek Conservancy and City of Austin’s Planning and Zoning Department will host the Imagine Austin Speaker Series on Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. Gullivar Shepard, Principal of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. (MVVA) and project leader for MVVA on the revitalization of Waller Creek, will give a free talk on how landscape architecture can serve as a medium for strategic thinking at Waller Creek and beyond. This event is open to the public and free to attend.
“The role of landscape architecture has evolved over time, moving beyond the design of beautiful natural spaces and entering the policy realm,” said Peter Mullan, CEO of Waller Creek Conservancy. “Complex civic projects, like the one we are undertaking at Waller Creek, require strategic thinking for successful implementation. With a wealth of experience working in cities across the U.S., Gullivar Shepard is the perfect speaker to expand our thinking on this topic. We encourage the public to join us to learn how thoughtful design and architecture create better community spaces.”
The Imagine Austin Speaker Series is designed to grow the implementation of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan through shared dialogue and mutual learning. The series enriches Austin with insights around creating complete communities where residents’ needs are met. Past speakers have led compelling conversations about park preservation, healthy living, water conservation, and more.
“The City is an integral partner in the Waller Creek project and we are excited to highlight this transformation as it exemplifies many of the priorities in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, including increased connectivity and expanded green infrastructure,” said Greg Guernsey, City of Austin Planning and Zoning Department Director.
“We’re thrilled to have Gullivar Shepard speak at the Imagine Austin Speaker Series, shedding light on a topic that impacts our City.”
PROGRAM:
September 21, 2016
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m.
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
The landscapes of our world represent a vast and entangled field of terrains, policies, practices, real estate transactions, and emergent conditions. Yet, the medium of landscape is still primarily thought of as a series of aesthetic place-making decisions. Through this lens, Gullivar Shepard will discuss MVVA’s involvement in complicated landscape contexts and will expose some of the complex strategic thinking that has enabled the realization of transformative projects for several growing cities. Waller Creek’s connected parks will be presented as a reflection upon how landscape planning moves beyond aesthetic place-making to help shape the context of Austin’s current growth.
Free parking is available at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd., and onsite parking at Palmer Events Center for this event is $3.00.