School of Architecture to hold symposium ‘Visualizing the Smarter City’

The School of Architecture Master of Urban Design program will present the symposium “Visualizing the Smarter City” from 1 to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 26. Registration begins at noon.

The emergence of intelligent technologies is driving change in the art and practice of city building. Smart infrastructure, interactive operation, networking, sensor technology and visual analytics increasingly constitute the technological backbone of contemporary cities. Consequently, the wisdom of traditional place-making, with its focus on human culture, knowledge and life, is absorbing new inspiration from this technological age toward the development of healthier, smarter cities.

“Visualizing the Smarter City” will address the interface between information technologies and urbanism, exploring the potential for emerging concepts and tools in the participatory process of place-making. Distinguished scholars, practitioners and experts in urban technology and urban design, as well as local planning and community leaders, will meet to exchange ideas on integrating intelligent technologies with contemporary place-making, advancing the ways we build a sustainable and smarter city. Featured speakers and session participants include Michael Batty of the University College London; Christopher Hight of Rice University; Douglas Voigt, director of urban design at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM); and Jennifer Evans-Cowley of Ohio State University, among others.

Symposium sponsors include AIA Charlotte, Charlotte Center City Partners, Project Mosaic and Esri.

SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE:

Noon to 1 p.m. Registration sign in

1 to 1:10 p.m. Welcome, Introductions, Opening Remarks

1:10 to 2:10 p.m. First Keynote: Michael Batty (University College London)

2:10 to 3 p.m. Plenary Panel: Chris Hight (Rice University), Jennifer Evans-Cowley (OSU)

3 to 3:30 p.m. Break

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

Session 1: “Smart City as Technology”
Bill Ribarsky (UNC Charlotte) and Geoff Taylor (Esri)

Session 2: “Smart City as Place-making”
Eric Brady (Bergmann Associates) and Ming-Chun Lee (UNC Charlotte)

Session 3: “Smart City as System”
Sean Flaherty (Envision Charlotte) and Sandra Baer (Smart City Council)

4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Second Keynote: Douglas Voigt (SOM)