The University of South Florida, in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts invite designers to participate in an international urban design competition:
[re]stitch TAMPA welcomes entrants to envision a new interface between the city of Tampa, Florida and the Hillsborough River. Utilizing Landscape Urbanism as a lens, [re]stitch Tampa seeks to refocus the Hillsborough as a SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, and ECOLOGIC spine for Tampa.
Currently, Portions of Tampa’s River walk have been realized. Developments such as Curtis Hixon Park and the new Tampa History Center have provided new access to the Hillsborough. Similarly, the previous decade witnessed renewed interest in Downtown living. However, private ownership along the river and the implementation of misguided Urban Renewal strategies have led to an identity crisis for Downtown and the Hillsborough.
As the River walk is further developed, [re]stitch Tampa seeks design solutions that rekindle an intimate relationship between a city and its river. Beyond merely skirting or crossing the river, urban design schemes will treat infrastructure as a palimpsest fostering balance between built and natural environments. Issues of storm water management will transcend traditional methods of implementation to reveal productive landscapes promoting social and economic sustainability. Issues of ecology should transcend the river to promote green infrastructure throughout downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
A distinguished jury of Urban Designers, Architects, Planners and artists will select winning entries. Jurors Include:
Charles Waldheim – Principal, Urban Agency; John E. Irving professor and chair of landscape architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Chris Reed – Principal, STOSS Landscape Urbanism; Adjunct Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Margaret Crawford – Professor of Architecture in the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkley
Juhani Pallasma – Arkkitehtitoimisto Juhani Pallasmaa KY; Ruth & Norman Moore Visiting Professor at Washington University. Plym Professor at the University of Illinois
Chad Oppenheim – Principal of Oppenheim Architecture + Design, Miami, Florida. Professor at Florida International University
EXTENDED DEADLINE OF RESTITCH TAMPA TO Tuesday, March 20, 2012 by 5pm This will be a one-stage design ideas competition. Awards Ceremony to be held Friday April 13, 2012 in Tampa with comments from jurors. Go to the competition website regularly for more information