Mukwanago Chief
March_2008
UWM, Austria school collaborate in Mukwonago
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's School of Architecture and Urban Planning and the Technical University in Graz, Austria, are working together to develop downtown revitalization strategies for the Village of Mukwonago and the Village of Radstadt, Austria, in a cross-cultural study on two communities.
The project was developed to assist small communities around the world that face difficult decisions when it comes to future development.
The collaboration between the two universities has been developed to demonstrate how revealing the relationship between master plans, by-laws, guidelines and the resulting buildings and public spaces can help small communities make more informed choices about future development.
More than 40 architecture and planning students are working with Mukwonago and Radstadt this spring to understand the spatial implications of local development decisions. In addition, the two universities will compare how communities with different social and cultural histories respond to similar growth pressures. Each class will develop a strategy to capture the benefits of local development and promote sustainable urban environments.
This week, UWM students are traveling to Austria to participate in a series of workshops focusing on architectural responses to growth and development challenges. At an open house held in Mukwonago on Thursday, Christine Scott Thomson of Plunkett Raysich Architects, also a UW visiting professor, announced the launch of the project's Web site, www.cds.uwm.edu.
Professor Joost Meuwissen, head of the Institute of Urbanism and the Technical University of Graz, Austria initiated the project, along with the Milwaukee-based design firm Plunkett Raysich Architects and the Austrian-based firm KMT/n-o-m-a-d. Gunther Koppelhuber, a Radstadt native, and Kim Thorton, a Mukwonago native, both of KMT, worked with Meuwissen on the project.
A large crowd gathered in Village Court Mall in downtown Mukwonago on Thursday night to view student displays and ask questions.
Scott Thomson explained that during the first half of the semester, the students are collected information on the history and patterns of growth in Mukwonago. During the second half, they will focus more on plans for development.
Student displays included transportation and land-use plans, public realm information, downtown revitalization plans, natural capital and block development over time.
Jill Naumes, a first-year graduate student, worked on various projects.
"It's been a fun experience," she said. "We began calling this project a downtown project. Then we came and visited Mukwonago in February, and it was interesting seeing the downtown and the ways in which it is similar and different from other downtowns, such as Milwaukee, which is much bigger."
Students also designed four flip books, which show community elements change over time, and comparison boards outlining the similarities and differences of Mukwonago and Radstadt.
Graduate student Roshell Scholz said she's had fun speaking with people from the community.
"It's great to hear different perspectives and ideas," she said.
Scholz spoke with attendees and took down their ideas and suggestions. Among the comments were suggestions for more support of local businesses by residents and more pride in area buildings.
"The next phase of this project focuses on design solution," said Scott Thompson. "Students will first work on design framework, and then they will work on the catalyst project using this site."
An exhibition of student work is planned for the summer.
