The Balsam Alpine Planning
Initiative is rooted in the desire for redevelopment of the hospital vicinity
and community. While the design of this
site undergoes ideation phases and community participation increases, there exists
copious room for possibilities within the project. Some of the initial design moves include the
following: precedent studies of eco districts, pre existing building typology
studies, community engagement, land use restrictions, fitting the city’s goals
into the design, and sustainable site analysis. One of the most important elements of this
project is engaging the community of Boulder in the decisions of the design
process because ultimately it is the city’s citizens that will be using this
space. The city officials on the design board should consider some different
ways to successfully outreach to the public. Firstly, the board should start by defining what consists of
the “public” so that they avoid one-sided opinions and represent all communities
in Boulder. That doesn’t include solely community’s
adjacent to the site, but the contextual communities which might be effected by
the second tier ramifications of the site.
After understanding who the participators will be, it is important to publicize
to those communities the open meetings. Explicitly
stating the purpose of the meeting and the goals associated with it. And then the type of outreach can be through
digital media, physical papers, pamphlets, or person to person voicing. This site has the opportunity to be a huge success
and asset to Boulder. Through design
phases and constant public engagement and participation, this site will be a success.
