UNM graduate students and faculty will be working out of a building at 505 Central NW in downtown Albuquerque this fall. The ground floor of the building, which the city is allowing the UNM School of Architecture and Planning to use rent free, will serve as an urban laboratory for teaching students about the built urban environment. UNM will supply computers and furnishings for the building.
Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning Geraldine Forbes-Isais says they will sponsor a lecture course and guest lectures at the CityLab as a way to engage the downtown community in discussions about Albuquerque's urban environment.
Projects may include ways to think about how Central Ave. on Route 66 might be re-imagined for the 21st Century. Other projects may include ways to think about the urban watershed and possible cataloging of natural and cultural resources.
UNM faculty and students will not be working directly for the city. Instead they will supply research, suggestions and ideas that can then be taken to the professional community for development.