In this article, Brian Hamilton, AICP, our Director of Urban Design and Planning, gives a greater perspective into our master planning practice and our overall approach to design and development at ACI Boland.
Integral to our design culture at ACI Boland is the belief that a singular project can be impactful to the larger community landscape. Our Urban Design and Planning practice provides visioning, master planning, and implementation strategies for developments that create a powerful sense of place.
A master plan is a guide for investment and growth. We position strategies capable of responding to ever changing market conditions, while holding true to the intent of desired outcomes.
A substantial part of our portfolio is working with private-sector developers and investors.
With urban infill projects, we collaborate with both clients and public stakeholders to reimagine and reactivate core areas with context-sensitive redevelopment. This may range from single parcel projects to the multi-acreage redevelopment of underutilized properties. Regardless of the scale and scope of any one project, we advocate for authentic, highly connected, and accessible solutions that meet the investment metrics, as well as the broader community objectives.
Redevelopment in ex-urban areas can create distinctive places and contribute to the sense of identity in established suburban areas. We partner with developers and communities towards reinventing outdated market formats into visions for vibrant environments. These often culminate in strategies that pursue a diverse mix of uses, formats, and price-points that are interconnected through a variety of mobility options and amenities.
Campus planning is another integral part of our practice. For our healthcare, corporate, and education clients, we provide physical framework strategies to further their aspirations and missions. From established urban campuses to greenfield opportunities, we develop flexible, incremental design plans that best maximize existing infrastructure, while accommodating growth and phasing. This also forms a foundation for the architectural solutions.
We often work for public sector agencies and departments. We develop strong partnerships with allied professionals to create diverse teams to address a specific project type and need. For parkland projects, we focus on sculpting with nature and contouring for success. This has included redefining core-area green spaces, interpretive venues, multi-acreage regional parks, and community-wide trail systems. For corridor and district plans, we navigate a process that brings about stakeholder consensus to ensure public investments promote a greater degree of the desired private-sector interest and momentum. Fundamental to the success of these initiatives is our process to listen, educate, and challenge.
