Creative cities design institute: imagine new brunswick
ART
Using the forms of mural, movement, and music, students have created artwork that reflect their research and reflections on Urban Planning and the George Street Corridor. Mural Artist, Leon Rainbow, created a synthesized mural design. Musician, Dave Seamon, and Theater Artists, Dustin Ballard and Rafaelle Lozada, worked with students The students created a final report in the form of a gallery experience including movable context walls, painted tiles, and an interactive soundscape. In additional Juan Ayala and the staff and “Makers” from FUBAR LABS guided students through a 3D printing project bringing the students design interventions into a scale model of the George Street Corridor.
ADVOCACY
“I Dream of a City Where…” is the advocacy theme students developed through their consideration of Urban Planning and Design. Faculty and graduate students from the prestigious Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy including Barbara Faga, Juan Ayala, Maia Hill, Collin Rieger, and Colin Roche, worked with students to develop their understanding of the field. They challenged students to harness urban planning as a process to make a place “better.” Students considered what it means to “Dream,” meeting challenges of inclusion with empathy and understanding.
COMMUNITY
New Brunswick and the surrounding region is a racially, culturally, and ethnically diverse community that has a storied past. Students considered whose experience of the city they want to improve. and what it means to “build a city for everyone.” They engaged in a conversation about racial and social justice and making a modern city that is more livable, equitable and just.
final sharing
Teaching Artists and Guests
institute photos
Day 1: Introductory games, community agreements, and an opening lesson on Urban Planning.
Day 2: The kids took an observational walk down George Street and ended the day with an Urban Planning lesson from a Bloustein professor in the Bloustein building!
Day 3: A special field trip to Fubar Lads to learn about 3D printing and a poetry lesson back at coLAB
Day 4: Assembly, creation, and coloring of the mural tiles
Day 5: Final touches, the final sharing event at Tavern on George, and CAKE from Chef Garima Bansil!!
George Street Reimagined
A model of the current George Street, before the student’s reimagining
A model of the reimagined George Street, from the students plans and designs
The students took a moment at the end of the week to reflect on everything they did, and compare it to the predictions they made at the beginning of the week.
student Artist Gallery
