Mid Review and Moving Forward

This week, the KCDC Greenline Studio had mid-reviews, which brought eight professionals and critics from a range of backgrounds who provided valuable feedback and design strategies to the Greenline proposals. Through these discussions, students identified new site challenges, particularly related to connectivity, infrastructure barriers, ecology, and the complexity of working within existing urban systems. These critiques encouraged teams to rethink certain assumptions and begin strategizing new ways to address these issues moving forward. As the semester progresses, students will continue refining proposals that strengthen neighborhood connections, improve safety, and activate underutilized spaces along the Greenline.

On Thursday, the studio attended an event titled “9 Ways to Make Housing for People,” led by Caroline Souza from David Baker Architects. Following the lecture, KCDC Studio Director Lauren Harness led a discussion with the public about housing strategies and how these ideas relate to current challenges in Kansas City. As part of the event, six KCDC students had research posters selected for public display, where members of the public could view and engage with the work. The posters explored topics such as affordable housing and rent burdens, vacant lots, mapping affordability, transportation access, and the relationship between housing and health.

Friday, the studio toured the Rock Island Bridge to explore another example of infrastructure being reimagined as public space. After the tour, the studio regrouped to discuss roles for the second half of the semester and began preparing for the upcoming community meeting as the Greenline proposals continue to evolve.