Environmental Design Capstone
University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture
SP26, EnD 4993, Monday 5:00 - 7:40 PM, Gould Hall 395
Dr. Wei Liu, AICP, CNU-A, Assistant Professor, wliu@ou.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 2:00 – 3:00 PM at Gould Hall 245L or remotely by Zoom, request by email
Urban and rural communities alike face increasing challenges related to mobility, safety, and equitable access to opportunity. Aging transportation infrastructure, auto-oriented development patterns, and shifting demographic and economic conditions have intensified the need for more integrated and context-sensitive approaches to corridor design. Multimodal corridors and complete streets have emerged as critical frameworks for rethinking how transportation systems can support community health, environmental sustainability, and long-term economic vitality. As these challenges grow more complex, designers are increasingly called upon to work collaboratively, engage communities directly, and translate interdisciplinary knowledge into actionable, real-world solutions.
This course focuses on the transformation of vehicular-dominated community streets into multimodal corridors and complete streets as critical infrastructure for mobility, public health, and economic vitality. Framed as a studio-based learning experience, the course integrates conceptual foundations, applied design methods, and real-world engagement to bridge planning theory and design practice.
A central component of the course is a two-day intensive design charrette, a professional practice model commonly used in urban design and planning. Students will work collaboratively in teams during the charrette to synthesize research, stakeholder input, and design strategies into actionable proposals. The charrette will be co-led by the course instructor and nationally renowned architect and urban designer Victor Dover, providing students with direct exposure to professional design leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Offered in partnership with the Institute for Quality Communities (IQC), the course centers on a real, community-based project in the City of Durant, Oklahoma. By the end of the semester, students will synthesize research, community engagement, and design thinking to produce implementable design recommendations that support mobility, safety, equity, and community vitality.
January 20, 2026
Welcome to EnD 4993 Environmental Design Capstone in Spring 2026. I am looking forward to meeting you in person on Monday January 26, 2026.
The course website will serve as the primary hub for all course information, including the syllabus, schedule, readings, assignments, and announcements. Please make it a habit to check the course website regularly, as it will be the most up-to-date source of information throughout the semester.
We will also use Canvas for assignment submissions, feedback, and grading. All information posted on the course website will be synced to Canvas for your reference; you may also access Canvas directly through the course website at your convenience. However, the course website should be considered the primary source for course materials and updates.
Before our first class meeting, please take a few minutes to:
- Finish the pre-class survey by this Friday, January 23.
- Look through the readings for this class on the course website.
Best,
WL
Schedules
Go to the recent section. This schedule is subject to change, and please check back regularly for updates. All readings and materials can be directly accessed via the links below, although some may require a OU NetID login. Please give us any anonymous suggestions about the lectures, discussion, design progress, or anything using the anonymous suggestions box.
I - Course Overview
- Jan 19
- M.L.K. Day (No Class)
- Jan 26
- Course Overview
- PRE-CLASS SURVEY DUE THIS FRIDAY
- Pre-class Survey
II - Multimodal Corridors & Complete Streets
- Feb 2
- Why Multimodal Corridors
In this class, students will be introduced the concept of multimodal corridors and to the final project study site. Students will conduct a virtual environmental audit to evaluate existing corridor conditions, including mobility, land use, safety, and surrounding context. Based on this audit, students will develop a concise context summary that identifies key opportunities, constraints, and questions to inform subsequent design work.- REQUIREDChapter 1, TRB. (2011). Reinventing the Urban Interstate: A New Paradigm for Multimodal Corridors
OptionalChapter 24, Moudon. (1987). Public Streets for Public Use
OptionalChapter 2, TRB. (2011). Reinventing the Urban Interstate: A New Paradigm for Multimodal Corridors - REQUIREDChapter 1, TRB. (2011). Reinventing the Urban Interstate: A New Paradigm for Multimodal Corridors
- Feb 9
- Why Complete Streets
- ASSIGNMENT 1 DUE AT NOON
- Assignment Instruction
- In this class, students will be introduced to the concept of complete streets and their role in creating safe, accessible, and context-sensitive transportation environments. Students will then be split into groups to discuss their preliminary findings and identify the most compelling issues and challenges affecting the final project site. These discussions will help refine the project focus and inform subsequent design strategies.
- REQUIREDTBD.
OptionalTBD. - Feb 16
- From Framework to Design: Trade-offs, Tools, and Context
In this class, students will be introduced to the topic “From Framework to Design,” focusing on how multimodal corridor and complete streets principles are translated into context-sensitive design decisions. Students will then have the opportunity to meet virtually with project stakeholders for interviews and guided discussions, using their contextual summaries to ask targets questions and deepen their understanding of local priorities, constraints, and opportunities.- REQUIREDTBD.
OptionalTBD. - REQUIREDTBD.
- Feb 23
- Case Studies and Lessons Learned
In this class, students will be introduced to multimodal corridor and complete street case studies presented by the course instructor and by students. Through guided discussion, the class will collectively reflect on the lessons learned from these precedents, focusing on design strategies and outcomes relevant to the final project.- ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE AT NOON
- REQUIREDTBD.
OptionalTBD. - ASSIGNMENT 2 DUE AT NOON
III - Community Transformation Charrette
- Mar 6
- Charrette Day 1
Details will be provided to you. - Mar 7
- Charrette Day 2
Details will be provided to you. - Mar 9
- Charrette Replacement (No Class)
Class hours fulfilled during the charrette - Mar 16
- Spring Break (No Class)
- Mar 23
- Charrette Replacement (No Class)
- ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE AT NOON
Class hours fulfilled during the charrette - ASSIGNMENT 3 DUE AT NOON
IV - Design Progress
- Mar 30
- Design Progress
In this class, students will work in groups on their final project, focusing on collaborative design development, analysis, and refinement. Class time will be used for teamwork. - Apr 6
- Design Progress
- ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE AT NOON
In this class, students will pin-up their work in progress and receive feedback from the instructor and peers. The session will emphasize constructive critique, iterative improvement, and collective learning to support continued development of the final project. - ASSIGNMENT 4 DUE AT NOON
- Apr 13
- Design Progress
In this class, students will work in groups on their final project, focusing on collaborative design development, analysis, and refinement. Class time will be used for teamwork.
Wei Liu is out for 2026 Main Street Now Conference (April 13-15). - Apr 20
- Design Progress
- ASSIGNMENT 5 DUE AT NOON
In this class, students will pin-up their work in progress and receive feedback from the instructor and peers. The session will emphasize constructive critique, iterative improvement, and collective learning to support continued development of the final project. - ASSIGNMENT 5 DUE AT NOON
- Apr 27
- Special Topic: Environmental Design in the AI Era & Design Progress
In this class, students will be introduced the state-of-the-art AI-enabled tools and emerging trends in environmental design. The course emphasizes how these technologies are shaping contemporary design practice, analysis, and decision-making. Students will also be encouraged to critically evaluate the opportunities and limitations of AI in environmental design contexts.- REQUIREDTBD.
OptionalTBD. - REQUIREDTBD.
- May 4
- ASSIGNMENT 6 DUE AT NOON
- May 7
- Final Project Presentation
Final Project Presentation DUE 8 AM - May 11
- Final Project Submission
- Final Project DUE 11:59 PM
Wei Liu is out for the Congress for the New Urbanism Annual Conference (May 13-16). - Final Project DUE 11:59 PM
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