What is a Charrette and Why Are We Doing One?

With the help of sponsors, grantors and partners, the MWVHC put on a very successful design charrette in 2013.  I’ve heard about this event since I started working here but I'll admit to being somewhat ignorant about the charrette process and the goals.. 
 
With that in mind, I did a bit of research…. which is particularly important now, since we are in the midst of planning another charrette for later this year. More on that as we get closer to the dates. In the meantime, here is some of what I found out about charrettes.
 
A charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers and others collaborate on a vision for development. It provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. More importantly, it allows everyone who participates to be a mutual author of the plan. http://www.tndtownpaper.com/what_is_charrette.htm
 
For the MWVHC and its partners, that will translate into providing an opportunity for planners and housing specialists to work together in teams, visualizing and testing development ideas relating to the theme of our next charrette: Re-Use, Rehab & Revitalization for Affordable Housing in the MWV.  It sounds exciting, challenging and potentially rewarding for the participants and the community-at-large.
 
A link to a excellent video by the National Charrette Institute on their NCI System is below. Though we won’t be using their system, there are many similarities in the process.

Additionally, we'll be sure to keep everyone updated on the charrette we are planning for later this year.  Look for information on our Facebook & twitter pages.
 
NCI Video Link