IN S IT E S
ST U D I O S
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U RBAN SYSTE M S THEORY & D ESI G N The senior Urban Design Studio produced two projects for the
The four student teams worked collaboratively to address the
Community Design Team (CDT) program during fall semester
identified urban design goals. The Helper Overall team prepared
2019. The first project was the preparation of the Helper City
analysis and design recommendations at the city and regional
Plan, which addressed the region, districts and neighborhoods
scale for the arts, recreation, growth, infill, housing types,
of the city. Helper is a small, diverse community with a strong
regional transit and more. The North Main Street team focused
historic identity and an arts-based economy. Project two was
on a new visitors’ center, arrival and wayfinding, site design
the Riverton 2050 Plan, which established a future vision for
for infill housing and street character. The Main Street team
the transformation of the Riverton downtown. During a period
developed streetscape, park, hotel, and plaza design concepts for
of rapid growth in recent years, most of the historic character of
the historic downtown, and the Price River and 100 West team
Riverton was lost.
designed a new arts district along 100 W, designed improved pedestrian and vehicular access, and envisioned new public open
Project #1: Helper City Plan
space and river edge uses.
Helper City and the American Institute of Architects prepared an SDAT (Sustainable Design Assessment Team) Report in 2017.
Project #2: Riverton 2050 Plan
Building on the SDAT recommendations, the students formed
In Riverton, five student teams prepared urban design concepts
four teams that addressed an array of issues at the regional,
for the five neighborhoods surrounding the Old Dome Meeting
district, neighborhood and site scale. Accommodating growth,
Hall and Riverton City Park. The Riverton 2050 Plan is a vision
improving community character, clarifying public access,
for new public facilities, mixed-use development, walkable
wayfinding design, and economic development are at the heart
streets, public gardens, an interconnected trail system, and a mix
of the Helper City Plan, anchored by the city’s history, arts,
of housing typologies connected through greenway design and
recreation, authenticity and creative vision.
pedestrian access. The vision of the plan is to create a walkable,
