Inland Empire Architects Receive Funding to Advance Community-Based Work to Develop Program Partnerships with area cities of the Inland Empire REDLANDS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Institute of Architects Inland California (AIAIC) Chapter has been awarded $10,000 of grant funding from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, D.C. for an initiative to develop its “Inland Empire Blueprint for Livable Communities” as part of a new nationwide community service program of the AIA titled “Blueprint for America: A Gift to the Nation.” The AIA Inland California offers this initiative as a gift to the community. The AIA members’ participation is provided at no fee. The AIAIC region is comprised of 41 municipalities over 2 counties, with an array of distinctive needs in each of its neighborhoods. The AIAIC Blueprint initiative has begun the systematic establishment of a sustainable demonstration of the value of design in California's Inland Empire. AIAIC City Task Force Teams have engaged the cities of Riverside and Redlands. These two cities, along with their civic leaders and citizens, will serve as the pilot programs for other cities to witness as a demonstration of the collaboration between the AIA and its communities. In addition, The AIAIC has partnered with the University of Cal Poly Pomona to stage a lecture series enriching the public awareness of architecture. In April, a California Inland Empire Mayors forum will be created with famed Architect Eduardo Terrazas from Mexico City, who will be speaking on the need to take a larger view in planning projects in order to create more responsible and environmentally sustainable cities. With the cities of Riverside and Redlands The AIAIC is collaborating on a “Green” partnership program, with an effort to establish sustainable environmental solutions for the municipalities. According to a Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 2006 study, the Riverside-San Bernardino county area is ranked seventh of 10 locations for population growth. The chapter consulted with various entities in the Riverside and San Bernardino counties, which resulted in the two cities' interest to participate with The AIAIC. Redlands lies within the San Bernardino county lines. According to many experts, Riverside and Redlands are experiencing many changes as a result of the growth occurring in the region. So far, a “Clean and Green” Task Force has been set up in Riverside, with a State of Address and a policy statement of sustainability being prepared by the Riverside Mayor’s office. “We believe this process will be a repeatable model for other cities in the region,” said Dennis Tanida, co-champion of this AIA project and a Riverside architect. “The first step before planning is to listen, and we have a wealth of information from which to build a foundation of success for municipal sustainability.” As varying initiatives are formulated with each participating city, the criteria of Blueprint for America and the Design Principals of Livable Communities will be led by The AIAIC’s City Taskforce Teams, in collaboration with civic leaders, neighborhood residents and community representatives. The grant award is a part of The AIA’s community-based initiative “Blueprint for America” that celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2007. The AIA Inland California is a non-profit corporation that serves as an architectural community resource and represents the interests of organized architects and associated professionals within the Riverside and San Bernardino counties and is part of both the AIA California Council and AIA, its grant benefactor. With a focus on providing support and resources to advance the development of livable communities throughout the nation, the AIA earmarked grant funding available through a competitive bid process to support the efforts of regional architect member groups to engage in this community-based work. The AIAIC chapter’s initiative has expanded to creating a three-part lecture series for 2007 that will be produced in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona and include internationally distinguished architects and urban planners. “This project not only benefits the cities and partners involved, it also nurtures and provides an awareness and spirit of renewal for our members – it allows us to demonstrate the value of what this profession brings,” says Pasqual Gutierrez, an Ontario architect and co-champion of The AIA project, as well as AIAIC’s 2007 president. “With so many factors that can alter the political, environmental and social landscapes, we feel the key to success is flexibility, and to respond to those changes. It is important to note that The AIAIC 150 Initiative is to "ENGAGE" the municipalities of its region through a demonstration of the value of design, and for the architectural profession to redefine itself as community leaders, providing for the foundation of healthier, sustainable, more livable communities. The AIAIC 150 Initiative may span over a number of years extending far beyond 2007 - the distinctive initiatives engaged with a respective city are incidental to the spirit of engagement for an Inland Empire Blueprint. Environmentally, the initiatives of both Riverside and Redlands, will provide for social, environmental, and economic sustainability mutually dependent and critical to the livability and long-term prosperity of the cities”. “We are excited to have been selected for this grant,” added Florence Hagstrom, Executive Director of The AIAIC. “We envision a long lasting collaboration with a great many groups and individuals to advance this very important issue for the cities of the Inland Empire. With livable space at a premium in a growing area – collaboration is a key component to our coexistence.” For more information about the activities of the AIA Inland California, please visit www.aiaic.org or call (909) 792-8464. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the voice of the architecture profession, dedicated to serving and empowering its members through advocacy, educational and outreach programs as well as educating the public on the value and importance of architecture. Members of The AIA include architects, associates working towards licensure, and affiliate members who work in a variety of allied fields. The AIA Inland California (AIAIC), since 1965 the local professional organization for architects throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties, actively promotes architecture and the enhancement of our environment through a wide variety of programs and services. Chapter activities are designed to expand public awareness of architecture and member architects, enhance local government relations to improve the regulatory environment in which our members practice, and support a growing academic scholarship program.
