In a first for the Harvard Graduate School of Design, a group of urban planning students has placed at the American Planning Association (APA) National Student Design Competition. David Bemporad, Carlee Griffeth, Julian Huertas, Danny Kolosta, and Nora Tufano (all MUP ’21) won third prize for their project “KREATE: Creating a healthier, more equitable, sustainable, and opportunity-rich Kashmere Gardens.” Now in its fourth year, the APA National Student Design Competition seeks to “raise interest in the need for equitable, responsible, sustainable, and resilient communities for all among the leaders of tomorrow in the fields of planning and urban design.”
“KREATE” proposes a series of policies, programs, and investments for the Houston community of Kashmere Gardens, which is threatened by flooding, unsafe infrastructural conditions, soil contamination, and displacement by gentrification. The team’s plan is organized around eight key community priorities:
- Ensure that the community benefits from new investment
- Increase high-quality housing options for residents of all income levels
- Leverage opportunities created by existing large infrastructure
- Align citywide plans with the community’s goals
- Optimize environmental assets and awareness
- Support workforce development and community entrepreneurship
- Promote healthy communities
- Build the capacity of the management district
“KREATE” seeks to execute these eight priorities within four implementation strategies: equity, health, sustainability, and opportunity. Read the full report on the APA website.