Image

In spring 2024, 10 second-year students from the UMass Amherst Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Graduate Urban Design Studio set out to reimagine three Springfield neighborhoods. A year later, a report containing their final design concepts has been completed and is now being presented to the city and community stakeholders.

The overarching goal of the project, commissioned by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission under a contract with the city, is to incorporate the cultural values of the North End, Metro Center and South End neighborhoods, while aligning them with the city’s physical vision and minimizing environmental impact. The design teams focused on enhancing safety, sociability, walkability, activities and entertainment — essentially creating a stronger sense of place.

Image

“Our strength is visualizing things,” says Frank Sleegers, professor of landscape architecture and director of the Master of Landscape Architecture Program.

UMass design studios have been working in Springfield since 2008, but this effort has been more comprehensive. The community engagement process was more robust and included two interactive sessions where the design teams engaged stakeholders using physical models for streetscapes and overlooked spaces. In addition, funding is available to carry out some of the improvements suggested in the plans and make them a reality.

The graduate students hosted community envisioning workshops in each of the neighborhoods. Not only did this provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share their ideas, but it helped the project teams understand how their proposed improvements might affect businesses, community activities and pedestrian interactions.

In the North End, the design team visualized longtime plans for a food truck park beneath an elevated section of Interstate 291, additional business opportunities on Main Street and better access to the Connecticut River.

A key focus of improvement plans for the Metro Center neighborhood is pedestrian safety. Design studio students proposed a reconfiguration of State Street, where pedestrians have been struck while trying to cross the street near the library. Another proposal would convert a vacant lot at Worthington and Taylor streets into a park for active recreation – a current void identified by residents.

Image

Beautifying Main Street with pocket parks, trees, lighting, murals and seating areas is a main component of improvement plans for the South End. The design team also proposed building a multifunctional space for farmers markets, concerts, festivals and other activities in the Broad Street Plaza area.

For students, Sleegers says the experience of working on real-world projects and engaging with the community is invaluable. “It’s hand-on. They learn to become active listeners and ask questions, and it translates to real jobs and real opportunities,” he notes.

The complete report with the team’s final design concepts is available for download on the LARP website. Plans are already underway for another UMass design team to work in three more neighborhoods this spring.