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  • Revitalizing Urban Infrastructure: Transforming Underutilized Transportation Corridors into Sustainable and Vibrant Public Spaces

Revitalizing Urban Infrastructure: Transforming Underutilized Transportation Corridors into Sustainable and Vibrant Public Spaces

AIAU25-PAKC01R
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1.0 LU|HSW
Course expires on: 03/17/2028
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Description

This course takes a behind-the-scenes look at two groundbreaking projects—City Walk BHAM in Birmingham, AL, and The Underline in Miami-Dade County. Both projects were designed to reimagine the vacant land under transportation corridors, considered a physical barrier between communities, into dynamic public spaces. 

Through these two case studies, you’ll gain insights into public-private partnership models, funding strategies, and community-driven and design approaches that make these projects possible. Examine how creative design solutions have transformed challenging spaces into multi-modal transportation corridors, resilient linear parks, and vibrant community destinations—improving neighborhood connections, safety, mobility, public health, sustainability, and innovation. Learn more about how the focus on health, safety, and welfare of the end users informed the design process: from the experience of the urban pedestrian to the cyclist commuter. In addition, you’ll learn about post-occupancy activation, including public programming, art initiatives, and revenue generating opportunities that ensure long-term success. 

This session was recorded live on April 16, 2025.

Learning Objectives

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Analyze public-private partnership governance models and their role in funding, phasing, and implementing large-scale urban transformation projects. 

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Examine how community feedback can shape the design process, informing the accessibility, safety, and inclusivity.

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Learn the challenges and solutions in transforming active transportation corridors into safe, welcoming, and equitable public spaces. 

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Explore sustainable design strategies, including green infrastructure and native planting, to enhance urban resilience and environmental health.

Hosted in partnership with the Public Architects Committee (PAKC).

PAKC

Instructors
Bryce W. Bounds
AIA

Bryce Bounds is a Miami native and Architect in the Public Works Department of Broward County Government in South Florida. There he oversees a portfolio of mission critical vertical design & construction work for taxpayers. Prior to the public sector, Mr. Bounds was in private practice for fifteen years. His work included public schools, state colleges, secure armed service facilities, and preservation or renovation work in multiple designated historic districts.

Mr. Bounds is involved with AIA at the local, state and national levels. He currently serves as the AIA Florida representative to the Young Architects Forum (YAF), the Vice-President of the AIA Fort Lauderdale chapter, a committee member for AIA Florida’s conference planning committee, and chairs the South Florida Young Architect Awards committee. He has also served on multiple NCARB committee’s and is on the Board of Directors of nationally ranked magnet school Design and Architecture Senior High in Miami, Florida.

Mr. Bounds earned degrees in Architecture and Fine Art from the Rhode Island School of Design. He was a visiting student to University of Miami’s School of Architecture, and did graduate field coursework with University of Florida’s Preservation Institute: Nantucket as part of the HABS/HAER program for the Library of Congress.

Isabel Castilla

Isabel is an associate partner at Field Operations where she specializes in large-scale, transformative public realm projects that involve extensive community engagement and complex multi-agency approvals. Her passion for public space design and its impact on communities informs her unique perspective. With degrees in architecture and landscape architecture, she delivers innovative solutions focused on creative detailing and construction implementation. She has led the design and implementation of notable projects including various phases of New York’s High Line; Dallas’ West End Square; the renovation of the historic Lincoln Road District in Miami Beach; and the master plan and implementation of various phases of The Underline in Miami. Isabel also serves as a Landscape Architecture Commissioner for New York City’s Public Design Commission. 

Meg Daly

Meg Daly is a full-time volunteer Founder and CEO of Friends of The Underline, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization transforming the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 120-acre linear park, urban trail and public art destination spanning 10-miles in the urban core.   

A 30-year sales and marketing veteran, Meg owned First Media Direct, a target marketing company serving the broadcast television industry. She held executive marketing and management positions in the public relations, advertising, technology, and real estate industries. Meg has a BA in English from Vanderbilt University and has served on numerous philanthropic boards.  

Meg also serves as Chair of The Underline Conservancy also a 501(c)3 non-profit organization responsible for the maintenance, management and programming of The Underline as a world-class trail and park facility.  She is a member of the Citizen’s Independent Transportation Trust (CITT), Orange Bowl Committee, International Women’s Forum, University of Miami Climate Resilience Institute External Advisory Board, MRED+U ((Master of Real Estate Development + Urbanism) Advisory Board, and Baptist Health HEAT.HELP.CURE Advisory Council.   

Toni Dennis

Toni Dennis has lived in the state of Alabama since 1981.  Her mother worked for the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel for 28 years, so she is well versed in the state and the attractions it has to offer.   Toni holds a degree in Marketing and Business Management from The University of Alabama-Huntsville but also did graduate work at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in Business and Health Sciences.  Toni has experience in both sales and marketing where she spent 17 years working for Pfizer, Inc.  Currently, she serves as a co-director for City Walk BHAM managing Public Relations, social media, Sales, and Community Partnerships.  She sits on the Board of Directors for the Central Alabama Hospitality Attractions and Business Association (CAHABA).  In her spare time, she is a real life “Disco Queen”, founding a non-profit organization, Magic City Disco. A co-ed, performance krewe spreading love of Disco from charity organizations to Mardi Gras in Mobile/New Orleans. 

Janie B. Mauter
PE

Janie grew up in north Alabama as the youngest child of an English professor and a NASA engineer. She studied civil engineering at The University of Alabama, and worked in Birmingham as a civil engineer for over 20 years. Janie has experience in land development, water main transmission, landfill design, hydraulic modeling and nuclear quality. Currently, she is Project Manager and Nuclear Quality Assurance Manager at Barge Design Solutions. Janie sits on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Society of Professional Engineers and serves as the local coordinator for the MATHCOUNTS program. She enjoys traveling, reading, gardening and playing music.

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