Architects must be advocates for livable communities.

Architects, as well as urban planners, bring many skills to the table, not only in building design, but. also in their knowledge and understanding of a wide range of complex issues faced by nearly all. communities. Overall, architects are beginning to acknowledge that they are, .and should .be, leaders and. advocates in the public realm, and not merely the purveyors of an elite design aesthetic.

But what about the converse? Why introduce the public process and elected officials into the design world? From the redevelopment of Ground Zero, to the construction. of a small home--and the requisite local planning/community board approvals and permits--the question is the same. Would integrating the design and the public process lead to a better planned, more comprehensive result?

Architects are increasingly asked to broaden their role and be more than "just designers." The architectural skill set includes the ability to synthesize complex and often opposing ideas into design solutions that organize disparate elements in the best possible way. This skill is certainly evident in the architect's ability to design buildings and spaces, but not as evident in his/her ability to harvest ideas outside of the design world. It will be to all our benefit to recognize and utilize this ability.

The two worlds were brought together at the American Institute of Architects' New York State (AIANYS) 4th annual Spring Symposium, "One New York State: Urban Policy and Regional Design," which took place on April 5th in Albany. Mayors Gerald D. Jennings of Albany, Matthew J. Driscoll of Syracuse, and Philip A. Amicone Of Yonkers spoke at the event, as did Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. of Suffolk County and Paula Luria Caplan, deputy, director of planning and development, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion's office. Peter A. Baynes, executive director of the New York Conference of Mayors served as moderator, and former Mayor William A. Johnson, Jr. of Rochester delivered the keynote address.

It was encouraging to hear elected officials speak about the importance of our cities as centers of culture and keys to growth and a great society. They spgke of the need to revitalize our cities, especially urban cores outside New York City. They understand that initiatives like Historic Housing Preservation Tax Credits are essential.

Baynes and other speakers at the conference bemoaned the lack of a consistent Statewide policy to spur economic development. There was nearly universal agreement that the repeal of the Wicks .Law would be a major step forward. Architects have lobbied the legislature for several years for its repeal or reform.

Former Mayor Johnson of Rochester, now a distinguished professor of public policy at Rochester Institute of Technology, detailed a brilliant list of seven proposals that are essential to the revitalization of our cities. Among them is the reinstatement of the fund for state revenue sharing with cities, which ceased in the early 1990's. He also called for a federal urban policy modeled on the government's involvement in the rebuilding of New Orleans, a role he believes should not be limited to a crisis mode. He called for government consolidation, especially for the upstate cities, where hundreds of "districts" (such as water, sewer, and school) and bureaucratic processes drive up the cost of government.

How can architects apply these principles and advocate for them in concert with elected officials? How can they apply their practice skills beyond design? The symposium offered many potential venues: Architects can be instrumental in forming community design centers; they can lead the public in the creation of livable, sustainable communities. They can become active in the community through community planning and zoning boards involved in drawing up comprehensive master plans. Architects can reach out to the political leadership to offer input on adaptive reuse of land and abandoned buildings, and in other ways be proactive as opportunities arise. Architects can also acknowledge that many issues must be considered in the design process: For example, a good school system, and not just a good school building, is needed to strengthen communities.

Moving forward, architects will continue to broaden their role in our society. AIANYS encourages its members to be advocates not only for architecture, but for our communities as well. Our profession is gaining momentum as we look outward. Benefits will be far-reaching, and will extend to architects, elected officials, and, ultimately, to the public.

TERRENCE E. O'NEAL, AIA 

PRESIDENT, AIA NEW YORK STATE

PRINCIPAL, TERRENCE O'NEAL ARCHITECT LLC 

Terrence O'Neal Architect LLC (TONA) is a full-service architectural and design firm based in Manhattan.