Through a HUD grant, the ESC worked with the City of Houston Department of Planning to conduct a series of design workshops for Houston's Near Northside neighborhood.  Using 3D real-time computer simulations, this visioning process helped to define the community's future planning objectives for its commercial corridor.

The ESC prepared and conducted an interactive design workshop geared toward reaching consensus on the neighborhood's identity.  The workshop focused on design objectives (Concentrating Activities, Connecting Activities, and Compatible Activities) culled from a set of narratives that community members were asked to write based on their daily life experiences. A 3D computer model of the commercial corridor created by the ESC was used to simulate development scenarios based on business-as-usual development patterns, and alternative development/site planning patterns based on the design objectives. Comparative sets of 3D images taken from the model effectively facilitated discussions on a number of issues such as scale, parking, safety, walk-ability, convenience, pedestrian-friendly experience, and impacts to the adjacent residential area. Most importantly, the workshops highlighted the compatibility between light-rail and a pedestrian friendly environment.

With ESC's support, the defined identity, design objectives, and imagery used in the workshop have been incorporated into urban design guidelines and performance standards for future development in Houston's Near Northside neighborhood.