Three Rivers, MI - The community of Three Rivers
looked to the future as they worked to create a healthy
community plan and help build capacity for collaboration. The
Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of
Architects facilitated the May 18th, 19th, and 20th charette.
Representatives from the City of Three Rivers, Fabius Township,
Lockport Township, Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority,
Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph County Economic
Development Corporation, Civic Organizations and residents
participated in the three day charette held at A Place In Time
in Downtown Three Rivers.
The clear purpose of the Three Rivers Community
Design Charette was to experiment in city/township planning
collaboration, create a basis for state and community grants for
expanded study opportunities, create a vision for obtainable and
feasible projects that will benefit the community and provide
architects with the opportunity for strategic civic engagement
at a unique time in Michigan’s development history. As designers
of the built environment, architects play an important role in
shaping our communities. Their design affects our safety,
health, and the environment as well as the quality of life in
our neighborhoods, towns, cities, and regions.
Design teams looked at three components of the
Three Rivers Community, the Downtown, the neighborhoods and the
US 131 Corridor.
The charette took into consideration the AIA’s
10 Principles for Livable Communities:
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Design on a human scale
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Provide choices in housing, shopping,
recreation and transportation
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Encourage mixed-use development
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Preserve urban/historical centers
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Vary transportation options
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Build vibrant public spaces
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Create a neighborhood identity
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Protect environmental resources
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Conserve landscapes
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Design does matter
AIA’s 10 Principles for Livable Communities
engages architects as members of their communities, to use and
share their knowledge, skill, and experience to participate in
civic life. Architecture expresses the values of society and has
the power to enrich the human spirit and ensure livability for
this and future generations.
The charette was hosted at “A Place In Time” 54
Railroad Drive, Three Rivers. The charette was open to the
public all three days. Along with round table discussions on
Thursday, the design studio was open all day Friday for
community input and the charette concluded on Saturday with a
community presentation at 12:00 noon.
