Who we are:
The Rochester Regional Community Design Center is a group of design professionals, planners and citizens with a shared interest in defining, promoting and helping to implement design excellence and sustainability in the built environment. The RRCDC acts as a collaborative resource for the City of Rochester and surrounding region and offers design guidance and recommendations through participatory planning that reestablishes the relationship between buildings, sites, and sense of community.

History and Background:
The Rochester Regional Community Design Center was founded by members of the AIA Rochester Urban Design Committee (AIAUDC), and was officially chartered in May 2003. It is also registered as a 501 (c)(3) organization under the IRS code, and all contributions are tax-deductible.

The work of the RRCDC is guided by the "Charter of the Congress for the New Urbanization" and "AIA Livable Communities Doctrine." A growing movement, New Urbanism recognizes walkable, human-scaled neighborhoods as the building blocks of sustainable communities and regions. The Charter of the New Urbanism articulates the movement’s principles and defines the essential qualities of urban places from the scale of the region to the individual building.

Current Design Projects & Events

Urban Design Studios A gallery exhibition containing master plans of Cuba, New York created by 35 senior students at Alfred State College. Opening December 2010

Town of Brighton Monroe Avenue Corridor Community Design Charrette
June 2010

Town of Brighton Monroe Avenue Corridor Community Design Vision Plan
Coming soon!

Slow and Steady A thesis exhibition which examines the movement away from mass-produced foods. Photographs by RIT's Christin Boggs. September-October 2010

Beyond the Motor City A documentary film about the past and future of transportation, funded in part by the Rockefeller Foundation. June 2010

Rochester, NY Project Green May 2009

Rochester, NY "A Vision for the Future", A Community-Based Vision Plan for Downtown Rochester - May 2008.
Click here for further information.

Susan B Anthony Neighborhood Community Vision Plan - October 2008.
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Marketview Heights/ North Union Street Corridor Community Vision Plan - July 2008. Click here for further information.

Dewey Avenue Corridor/ Maplewood Neighborhood - January 2008.
Click here for further information.