May 19, 2008

Contact: Eugene Jud
Cal Poly Civil & Environmental Engineering Dept.
805-756-1729
ejud@calpoly.edu

Engineers and Planners of Tomorrow to Display Ideas for Downtown San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly Planning Exhibition for

San Luis Obispo Downtown Circulation Enhancement

Friday, May 30, 2008

Cal Poly Civil Engineering and City & Regional Planning graduate students will present their ideas for circulation enhancements in the Downtown Area of San Luis Obispo at an exhibition on Friday, May 30, 2008. This event will be held at the San Luis Obispo City/County Library from 3:45 to 5:30pm and is open to the public free of charge. 

The students of Eugene Jud’s Sustainable Mobility class were asked to create a proposal that would increase alternative modes of transportation within San Luis Obispo. Specifically, they looked at issues relevant to the Downtown Area and envisioned ways to improve pedestrian activity, implement traffic calming, improve regional bicycle trail network connections, consider bus rapid transit, and create a regional transportation hub. In addition, the students identified areas conducive for future housing, retail and entertainment activities while balancing current community concerns with future progress. The exhibition gives city and county officials and community members the opportunity to see how younger generation imagines the future of the Downtown Area. 

“Good ideas can come from anywhere,” Jud said. “These students are the engineers and planners of tomorrow, and they have an impact on how San Luis Obispo will look in the future.” 

At the exhibition, each group will give a short presentation, and then guests are encouraged to discuss the displays with the students. Each project presents a general idea for the city in the long term future (2020-2050). The goal of the project is to increase environmentally sustainability practices for transportation and future development projects.  

This work effort is presented with the input of city officials, politicians, developers, businesses, and citizen groups. Without their support, the project would not be possible. We appreciate their assistance highly.  The project may be valuable for the scheduled revision of the City’s Land Use and Circulation Elements in the coming years. 

For details, contact John Kibildis, MCRP, Class President, at (805) 441-7123 or Faculty Member Eugene Jud, at (805) 756-1729. 

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