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MIG News
MIG Marketing Takes Gold
MIG and SFMTA make all the right moves and receive a 2024 Davey Gold Award.
MIG News
ASLA Takes Steps to Reconciliation and Reconnection
An ASLA grassroots effort, led by members of MIG’s Native Nations Studio, aims to help ASLA make a pivotal change in how it supports Native Nations and the landscape.
MIG News
MIG Projects Receive ASLA Oregon Design Awards
Chehalis Basin LAND Alternative and Hidden Creek Park West projects receive awards from Oregon ASLA.
Case Studies
Visual Stories Bring “Tulsa Forward” to Life
Seeing proposed projects that are part of Downtown Tulsa’s new strategic investment plan helped community members and stakeholders weigh in with feedback, priorities and, ultimately, enthusiastic approval.
Thought Leader
Sketching the Brainstorm
Use high-touch technology to bring verbal concepts into visual reality—right before meeting participants’ eyes.
MIG News
Congrats to Top CA Community Colleges!
MIG developed Strategic Plans for 4 of the top 20 Community Colleges in the US.
MIG News
MIG Receives Two Texas APA Awards
Texas APA awards two MIG projects—citing a comprehensive plan that advances the science and art of planning and public outreach that improves a community’s quality of life.
MIG News
T+C Park Receives ASLA Merit Award Winner
ASLA San Diego recognizes T+C Park’s use of accessibility and thoughtful design for a much needed green space.
Thought Leader
Accelerating the Power to Change: A Regenerative Approach to Design
Design professionals have become “greener” in the past few decades. But that’s not enough. We need to radically reshaping how we practice. MIG’s Jennifer Zell outlines how Regenerative Design can shape a more positive future.
Thought Leader
Designing for Accessibility: Seven Steps Toward a More Equitable World
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is this month—here’s why it’s important and what we can do as designers and planners to ensure that all our projects are accessible and equitable.
MIG News
Downtown Boulder Vision Plan Receives Excellence Award
On April 4, the Downtown Boulder Vision Plan was awarded a Colorado Downtown Excellence Award for Best Partnerships in a Large Community.
MIG News
TriMet’s TOD Plan Receives Transportation Award
The WTS Portland Chapter selected TriMet’s Regional TOD Plan as its 2023 Innovative Transportation Solutions Award Winner.
MIG News
A Block-by-Block Approach to Community Resiliency
A bold approach to increasing energy efficiency and switching to renewable fuels is taking place in Oakland. EcoBlock. And MIG is helping create the template.
MIG News
Seattle-based Nakano Joins MIG
The merger will deepen and expand sustainable landscape architecture and urban design services for clients in the Pacific Northwest.
MIG News
Laurie Matthews Elected to ASLA Council of Fellows
She received one of ASLA’s highest honors, at the national ASLA meeting in Minneapolis.
MIG News
Charlotte Plan Wins National APA Award
The Jury said: “This effort (Charlotte Future 2040) pushes planning in a new direction. The replicable ‘Place Type’ process can be a model for how to think about place more holistically and at a larger scale in other communities.”
Thought Leader
Rematriate the Land
“We are in an Indigenous Renaissance…but there are still many circles of harm to break.” José de Jesus Leal, Director of MIG’s Native Nation Building Studio, shared his powerful perspective about Indigenous people and land at the recent National ASLA Conference in Minneapolis.
Case Studies
A Tale of Two Corridors: Community-Based Safety Improvements
Two corridors, both in a Vision Zero High Injury Network, now have community-based plans to improve safety and mobility, critical to the area’s economic development.
Case Studies
Walking in the Rain, On a Resilient Street
MIG’s Houston Resilient Sidewalks Plan was recently awarded a 2023 Planning Achievement – Gold Award in Resilience from the Texas chapter of the American Planning Association.
MIG News
Houston Resilient Sidewalks Win APA-Texas Gold Award
MIG’s Houston Resilient Sidewalks Plan was recently awarded a 2023 Planning Achievement – Gold Award in Resilience from the Texas chapter of the American Planning Association.
MIG News
MIG “Game Changer” To Present at ASLA Conference
José de Jesus Leal will share innovative ideas about Indigenous ecological knowledge and how that can dramatically change our approach to climate action.
Case Studies
Transforming Indigenous Education
The US has had a fraught history in educating Native American children. “Growing Ute Futures” can profoundly change the future for the children of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
MIG News
Deschutes 2040 Comprehensive Plan Wins ACE Award
Even before the Plan is complete, its community engagement is recognized as a model for excellence—including innovative techniques for reaching people who have not traditionally engaged in land use planning.
MIG News
Woods Gone Wild! Park Plans GIANT Opening
A new community park in Hillsboro, OR opened this month, featuring Oro, the friendly giant. It’s the area’s first and only purpose-built accessible park—its theme is: “woods gone wild.”
MIG News
MIG-Led Grant Effort Yields $16 million
A collaboration of 13 agencies, nonprofits and tribes will complete a 200-mile trail through the Olympic Peninsula.
MIG News
LA County’s “PNA+” Featured in APA Planning Magazine
Article details how the Park Needs Assessment Plus project used data, including fitness trackers and smart phone apps, to increase park equity—as awards lauding the project come in.
Thought Leader
Freezing with Fear, Thawing with Hope
When we plan for climate change, we often think that scaring people will spur action. Turns out, that can freeze people. Jenni Zell, MIG’s Director of Regenerative Design, tells a story of how to thaw with hope.
MIG News
Technology to Boost Park Access
Fostering equity and youth development by providing a model for guiding investments in sports fields.
MIG News
Slow Down, San José
A new hard-hitting and emotional campaign to reduce deaths from traffic crashes is launching in San José, California. It’s part of Vision Zero, an international effort to reduce traffic deaths to zero.
MIG News
Celebrate Water in the East Bay!
As it turns 100, the company that provides water to the entire SF East Bay asked us to help it celebrate. Big time!
Case Studies
Taking Action for Sparkling Oceans
San Diego County is engaging the community in small actions that will make a big difference in its critical coastal waters.
Case Studies
Play Lotería, Combat Climate Change
A small coastal town turned to an old game to engage its community in new solutions.
MIG News
New LA County Park Framework
County Supervisors approved a data-driven plan to conserve 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030, advance park equity, and restore degraded land, especially in low-income communities.
MIG News
A Park To Transform Fort Worth
A once forlorn park will now reconnect the City with its River and revitalize the downtown.
MIG News
MIG Opens Brooklyn Office
MIG’s new Downtown Brooklyn office—co-located with W Architecture and Landscape Architecture—now allows both firms to collectively push the boundaries of innovative, community-based solutions from coast to coast.
Thought Leader
Transforming Higher Ed
New tradition-shattering campus planning models merge multiple academic levels, research and manufacturing—the results astound.
MIG News
Creating Buzz for the Bus, Muni’s Return-to-Service Campaign
How do you bring riders back to transit after a pandemic? A fresh take on an iconic brand promotes Muni transit service improvements for riders across San Francisco neighborhoods.
Thought Leader
Planning and Design Visualization—An Even Bigger Toolbox
Visualization tools let people “see” your planned project before it’s built—turning your community engagement on its head. And like with all technology, the costs might be less than you think.
Thought Leader
A Walk in the Park—with a Little Mixed-Reality
Parks are using new technologies to engage with and provide another experiential layer for visitors. It’s educational, it’s fun—and you don’t need to tell kids to put their phones away!
MIG News
Angelo Planning Group Merges with MIG
The merger will deepen and expand services for clients in the Pacific Northwest. MIG | APG, will provide a full range of service, from planning and design to zoning and development codes, for both public and private sector clients.
Thought Leader
Measure What You Value: New Urban Successes
We need a new way to measure the “success” of urban planning. We can rethink planning to integrate equity, diversity and inclusion and address the unintended consequences of gentrification. MIG Principal Jay Renkens presented Charlotte North Carolina’s monumental shift in planning.
MIG News
City Breaks Ground on Mendez Park, a Tribute to Social Equity
A new park and park plan in Westminster promotes racial equity and honors local civil rights leaders.
MIG News
Green Building Council Awards Project of the Year
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park is Project of the Year at the Sustainable Innovation Awards. And Santa Monica City Hall East won an award for zero waste.
MIG News
Planetizen Lauds “Envision Burlingame,” “Charlotte Future 2040”
Two of 2021’s top websites for urban planning: Burlingame for its easy-to-use, highly informative digital plan and community process; Charlotte for its Virtual Open House
Thought Leader
Planning a City’s Future
How can cities plan future growth that’s equitable and thriving? MIG Principal Chris Beynon shares his experience—and plans for Kansas City.
MIG News
Jamillah Jordan Selected as Culture of Health Fellowship Program!
Jamillah Jordan, leader of MIG’s Equity Studio, has been selected for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Leaders program.
Case Studies
California SB 743 Hits the Streets—Changes Everything
California is rethinking building and transportation—aiming to drive less and protect the environment. SB743 is one of the “hottest” pieces of legislation to come out of Sacramento in quite a while.
MIG News
Wildfires Affect Park Conservation, Equity and Health
Recent wildfires impact park conservation, equity and health—and point to a need to plan for future extremes
MIG News
Landscape Sharkitecture! ASLA Cites Jaw-Dropping Aquariums
New York Aquarium’s “Ocean Wonders: Sharks” exhibit highlighted as part of ASLA’s Tools for Teachers program.
MIG News
We Come Together…
We will not be silent. We will not look away. We will stand together. MIG stands in solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives. We condemn racism, white supremacy and violence in all its forms. We commit to the active pursuit of racial equity.
MIG News
LA County Approves Phase 2 Funding For a Magic-al Park
With Phase 1 already underway at the 120-acre Earvin “Magic” Johnson Recreation Area, the County approved funding to bring the AHBE | MIG masterplan closer to reality.
MIG News
MIG Honors The Power of Communities During COVID-19
Few things are as remarkable as the power of the human condition to both shape and be shaped by the world around us.
MIG News
Hong Kong Play Area Wins Global Design Award
The new play area for 3rd-5th grade students merges elements of Hong Kong’s traditional culture with exciting climbing play, and won an OPAL award for interior design.
MIG News
“Streets Reconsidered” Wins Prestigious EDRA Award
“Easily read and clearly explained and illustrated, the book should be in the library of every municipal planning department, urban design firm, landscape architecture offices and community organizations promoting healthy living and great human spaces,” the EDRA jury stated.
MIG News
LAF Quantifies Yanaguana Garden Successes
Landscape Architecture Foundation released its case study of Yanaguana Garden Play Area in San Antonio, citing quantifiable environmental, social and economic benefits.
MIG News
Lithia Park Master Plan Wins ASLA Award
The new plan defines the essence of this Ashland park and won the Award of Excellence for Analysis & Planning from the Oregon ASLA.
MIG News
Raising Public Expectations for Public Spaces
Should public agency workspaces look spartan and cost-effective so no one gets upset about wasting public money? The opposite, said MIG Principal Gary Lai in a think tank discussion.
MIG News
Top ASLA Award for Willamette Falls Cultural Landscape Report
In uncovering centuries of history, the report balanced stories from multiple and often conflicting perspectives, posing the critical question: Whose narrative is it?
MIG News
Hing Hay Park Study Now Online
This just in! A wealth of independent data, analysis and feedback that we often wish for and rarely get—Seattle’s Hing Hay Park is now a proven success.
MIG News
ORPA Award for Tualatin Parks & Rec
The City’s new Parks and Recreation Master Plan was recognized for innovative techniques and funding solutions, among other attributes.
MIG News
2 Cities, 2 Approaches: Achieving Equitable Park Access
A cookie cutter is great for making a lot of equal cookies. But not for providing equitable parks for diverse communities. MIG has some better ideas and Park&Rec magazine features them.
MIG News
San Antonio Plan Gains IDA’s 2019 Top Award
The Downtown Achievement Pinnacle Award recognizes the most creative and inspiring innovations in urban place management.
MIG News
Portland Office Is ASLA’s Best in State
MIG’s landscape architecture team in Portland has won Oregon ASLA’s 2019 Outstanding Firm Award, recognizing design excellence.
MIG News
Shark Exhibit Gets Top AZA Honors
Ocean Wonders: Sharks! at the New York Aquarium received a Top Honors Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
MIG News
CPRS Focuses on a 10-Minute Walk
The Summer 2019 California Park and Recreation Society magazine includes an article by MIG’s Cindy Mendoza and Lauren Schmitt about the new park standard: within a 10-minute walk.
MIG News
Walk Boston Praises Streets Reconsidered
From Wendy Landman, ED of Walk Boston: “A terrific how-to manual for community activists and municipal staff…to bring streets back to life.”
MIG News
ASLA Issues New Guidelines for Universal Design
MIG Principal Melissa Erikson contributed to first-ever set of international guidelines that consider a broad range of abilities for designing the public realm.
MIG News
New Approaches to Homelessness, From LAM
In this month’s “Landscape Architecture Magazine,” MIG Director of Landscape Architecture Brice Maryman shares an emerging set of “better practices.”
MIG News
APA Praise For Streets Reconsidered
“This book will be of great value to anyone who ever deals with streets in any capacity.”
MIG News
Hing Hay Park Gets Neighborhood Award
Seattle Neighborhood Greenways (SNG) has awarded its inaugural Community Enhancer Award to the newly redesigned Hing Hay park.
MIG News
AHBE | MIG Merger Featured In Industry Magazine
“Making the world a better place” binds the two firms together.
Thought Leader
Advancing Equity: New Solutions to Inspire Change
How can you create inclusive communities that lift children out of poverty? MIG Equity Studio Director Jamillah Jordan offers insights and catalytic solutions during her recent IDA Master Talk.
Thought Leader
10 Minutes to a Park: New Solutions
Can your town or city—whether urban or rural, built-out or still developing, park-rich or park-poor—offer all residents the benefits of a park or recreation activity with a 10-minute walk? Absolutely. With a little imagination, collaboration and a fresh new perspective, every city can find opportunities to better connect people to parks.
MIG News
Beach Playground Wins Design Award
The accessible and sustainable beachfront playground in Santa Monica won 2019 Westside Urban Forum Design Award for Public/Open Space for AHBE | MIG.
MIG News
Concept Designs Developed For Mudslide Memorial
A new memorial will honor those lost in a tragic, massive mudslide near Oso Washington, as well as those who survived and the first and community responders.
MIG News
“Jordan Rising” Wins Two Utah Awards!
The MIG competition proposal won both the Conservation Innovation award and the coveted People’s Choice award for re-envisioning the Jordan River Parkway in Salt Lake County.
MIG News
“Visualize” Rezoning; Engage Communities
An APA-award-winning project in Utah breaks new urban planning ground with virtual reality.
MIG News
Linking Lookout Wins National Engineering Award
The project, in Golden, Colorado, was one of only 16 projects nationwide to receive a Grand Award from the ACEC. All it took was a little magic.
Thought Leader
Brice Maryman on Homelessness in the City
We’ve designed poor people out of our cities. Ideas for more inclusive designing.
MIG News
AHBE Has Joined MIG
AHBE Landscape Architects joined urban planning and design firm, MIG, Inc., in 2019, creating MIG’s Los Angeles office.
MIG News
Yanaguana Garden Chosen for LAF Case Study
The Landscape Architecture Foundation funds studies to quantify why some environments perform better and offer more benefits than others. Yanaguana is one of them.
Thought Leader
Streets Reconsidered Part 3: Flexible Streets
Let’s go the next step beyond travel lanes and bike lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks. Let’s design streets for living, not just driving. Read Part 3 in the series of excerpts from our new book on inclusive design for the public realm.
MIG News
Groundbreaking of Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
New immersive and interactive technologies will bring the U.S. Submarine Force—the “Silent Service”—to life.
MIG News
New CEQA, New Opportunities
With new CEQA rules, you can take advantage of new opportunities to make better places with more choices for people and reduce the impact on the natural environment.
Thought Leader
Streets Reconsidered Part 2: Inclusive Design
Let’s go the next step beyond travel lanes and bike lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks. Let’s design streets for living, not just driving. Read Part 2 in the series of excerpts from our new book on inclusive design for the public realm.
Thought Leader
Take One Moment… You’ll be Inspired for Life
MIG Principal Mukul Malhotra stunned the room with passion and poetry at the IDA conference in San Antonio. He spoke about how great cities and great buildings tell the story of place.
Thought Leader
Streets Reconsidered Part 1: Streets Are for People
Let’s go the next step beyond travel lanes and bike lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks. Let’s design streets for living, not just driving. Excerpts from our new book on inclusive design for the public realm.
MIG News
MIG’s Newest Book Now Available from Routledge
Streets Reconsidered: Inclusive Design for the Pubic Realm, by Daniel Iacofano and Mukul Malhotra, shows what streets can offer communities if they are designed for people, along with vehicles. Get a 20% discount!
Thought Leader
The Experiential City: Coming Urban Trends
What are the next urban trends and transformations? MIG Principal Chris Beynon lays out 10 interconnected, disruptive and exciting mash ups you need to know about.
MIG News
“Bathing” in Public, Communing with the River
Our innovative, weird and amphibious outdoor seating (a bathtub) has won the People’s Choice Award in Portland’s Street Seat Competition. You have to see it to believe it.
Case Studies
Stormwater Plunges in Roadside Rain Gardens
Every year, about 4 million gallons of polluted runoff entered Puget Sound. The County’s innovative solution enhanced the green space and didn’t require any mechanical or electrical systems.
MIG News
Let’s Go Play in the Backyard!
A new “backyard” at the San José Children’s Discovery Museum brings the joys of nature and the freedom to get dirty to kids in an urban environment.
Case Studies
A Zoo Takes on Climate Change
Global issues, local stories, real actions: How a zoo exhibition tackled climate change and increased its revenue.
MIG News
The New San Diego Duo: MIG and MJE Marketing
San Diego-based MJE Marketing and MIG are now MIG | MJE, greatly expanding our marketing, branding, design, advertising, public relations and outreach services in Southern California.
Thought Leader
A Pioneering Model for Boosting Complete Streets
Innovative grantmaking is helping communities make streets safer and more equitable.
Thought Leader
Duarte’s New Path for Downtowns
For communities with struggling commercial corridors and a lack of housing the plan for the City of Duarte’s new town center offers solutions.
Thought Leader
Shining a Light on Homelessness
A MIG team interviewed homeless people in parks to better understand how park agencies can help them.
MIG News
This Ain’t No Ordinary Tangerine
MIG has created a partnership to launch a specialized web publishing platform…
Thought Leader
We May Be Starting to Lose Our Way
MIG Principal Chris Beynon challenged communities and businesses to create inclusive cities that benefit all residents.
MIG News
MIG welcomes SvR
SvR brings an integrated approach to urban design that blurs the boundaries between landscape architecture, civil engineering, planning and applied ecology.
MIG News
A New Alliance—MIG and Entitlement Advisors
We are pleased to announce that we have formed an alliance with Entitlement Advisors and Carol McDermott of Newport Beach, California.
MIG News
Alissa Rupp Has Been Named FAIA
We are excited to announce that MIG | Portico Principal Alissa Rupp has been named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects – AIA’s highest membership honor.
Case Studies
Transforming Freeways into Parks
Three times as much parkland, bicycle and pedestrian connections to and through the park and to the River Walk, and a happy community.
Thought Leader
A Cure For Today’s Society
For centuries thoughtful observers have recognized that play is integral to both childhood development and adult life.
MIG News
MIG Welcomes The Portico Group
We are pleased to announce that The Portico Group (Portico) of Seattle, Washington, has joined MIG.
