TOD integrates transportation and land use in urban forms that surround transit stations. Moderate to high densities, mixed-uses, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and environmental access are design characteristics often associated with TOD sites. Leander’s TOD site is located at the end of Capital MetroRail’s Red Line, a 32-mile transit corridor that connects the greater Austin […]
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The Local Fiscal Impact Model (LFIM), developed by Dr. Oden, was used to evaluate the fiscal impacts of three distinct development scenarios. The modeled scenarios were linked to the Envision Tomorrow planning software, also used in the Sustainable Land Use Planning course. Student analysis and reports will enable the City of Leander to better determine […]
Sustainable Land Use Planning classwork focused on two curricular units, each informing the development of land use scenarios for the City of Leander. The first part provided background information on the history, institutional frameworks, purpose, principles and values inherent in land use and comprehensive planning today. The second part covered the background analytic and participatory […]
Students in Real Estate Development researched and evaluated the feasibility of sustainable residential development types. Typologies include cohousing, live/work, small multifamily, fourplexes, and townhouses. Working in small groups, each research team developed a 15-20 page report that examines a different housing type. Final reports included case studies or precedents from other cities in similar regions […]
Students in Dr. Paul Adams’ Urban Studies Research Methods course conducted initial research that builds a foundation for a citywide sustainability plan. Small groups used archival, observation, survey and interview methods to investigate specific aspects of sustainability that Leander’s developing plan could address. Research focused on issues including energy use, water conservation and quality, waste […]
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Students examined preservation opportunities within Leander’s institutional context, providing student preservationists with an opportunity to apply their tools of practice. Their work included an exploration of federal, state and local governments, non-governmental institutions, and private sector support systems. Students developed tools for implementing preservation policy and programs that fit into Leander’s larger vision for the […]
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Student teams engaged a mixed-use design project at one of three specific sites in the City of Leander: Historic Downtown, TOD Red Line Station, and Central East. The architectural design project developed built spaces that speak to the community’s current and future identity. Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner. Texas […]
Public Transportation Engineering provides students the tools to characterize public transportation modes in terms of their most appropriate urban area applications. This includes the ability to conceptually plan and design integrated public transportation systems— that is, systems including multiple modes. As an independent project within the course, two students engaged a context-specific analysis of connectivity […]
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Leander will become increasingly sustainable by promoting connectivity and pedestrian access within the community. A more connected landscape will benefit current residents by creating outdoor networks. These networks will allow people to move through the city with an increasing amount ease. It will also serve future students enrolled at Leander’s ACC San Gabriel Campus. Located […]
Leander, Texas faces sustainability challenges associated with an increased demand for suitable urban housing and community amenities. Population growth and demographic change will impact Leander’s physical landscape and give new identity to the concept of density within the city. In this course, students explored Leander’s increasingly urban landscape in an effort to construct a new […]