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SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL DISTRICT
(SWMD) Transformation
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Note: The SWMD email newsletter is delivered quarterly. For monthly updates about the SWMD project, subscribe to the monthly Texas Trees Foundation newsletter. | |
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Equitable Engagement Phase II has Officially Launched!
We are reaching out to people who have walked, hiked, or rolled through the Southwestern Medical District (SWMD) to provide updates about the project and to capture YOUR thoughts on programming for the park, amenities along the corridor, and other fascinating ideas for design. Ready to learn more? Email Marinda Griffin at marinda@texastrees.org
🌲 Join Us Today in Shaping the Future of the Southwestern Medical District! 🌲
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Texas Trees Foundation Selected for Innovation Challenge
Two Teams from McKinsey & Company to Guide Communications Strategy in Urban Heat
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Earlier this month.TTF was selected as a participant in McKinsey & Company's 'Innovation Challenge'. Two stellar McKinsey teams are lending their skill set to strengthen TTF’s communication strategy regarding urban heat so that we can reach as many North Texans as possible. Thank you, team, ‘Invincible’ and team ‘Outerjoin’! | |
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Welcoming Our Newest Team Member, Abby McGee!
Nature Lab Coordinator
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Abby McGee joined the team in this month as Nature Lab Coordinator. She comes to us as a recent Environmental Studies graduate from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. Her interdisciplinary educational background and internship experiences at Austin Youth River Watch and Texan by Nature left her fascinated by the network of influences between the natural environment and human health.
With skills in areas including environmental restoration, environmental education, digital design, and written communication, she is excited and honored to help develop the Nature Lab initiative at Texas Trees. As a native DFW resident, she is thrilled to combine her knowledge and passion for the environment to make her community a safer and greener place for all who call it home.
In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, outdoor activities such as swimming or hiking, and exploring new places near and far!
Please join us in welcoming Abby to our team!
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Summer Intern Sanjna Bhatia's Final Presentation
Qualitative Research in the District, Interviews with Visitors, and more!
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Sanjna Bhatia, a 2nd-year medical student at UT Southwestern, successfully concluded her summer internship at TTF with a captivating presentation on her qualitative research in the Medical District. Her work involved observing visitor and healthcare personnel's behaviors in the District's outdoor environments and gathering insights through interviews and focus groups. Her research has offered valuable guidance for design.
We thank Sanjna so much for her hard work and are excited to support her future endeavors!
See below for powerful quotes from the interviews and focus group participants!
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- "I want the park and shared spaces to educate surrounding community about health literacy, climate change, and the environment." - Pediatric Pulmonologist
- "Everyone I have ever talked to in Texas hates the heat, thinks it is too hot. This morning I booked a guy for 7am for his labs since he walks to his appointments and I wanted to make sure it wasn't too hot for him." - Registered Nurse
- "I want to go out to green areas but I don't want to drive and sit in traffic to get there. There is something weird about having to be in stressful traffic first to get to the peace of nature." - Medical Student
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"Keeping Texans Cool Outside"
In this podcast, Texas Monthly journalist, Will Bostwick, and KERA’s Krys Boyd discuss the vast implications for human health in the heat of a Texas summer, urban heat islands, and the cutting-edge heat mitigation strategies launching across the state such as cool pavement treatments in San Antonio, and the work we’re doing here at Texas Trees Foundation. Listen as Bostwick discusses our evolved organizational focus on public health and the environment, and references how our 2017 Urban Heat Island Management Study has informed design plans for the Southwestern Medical District transformation.
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"Largest Urban Heat Island in Dallas to Get World-Class Green Space"
Read quotes from chairman of the SWMD board, David Biegler, and the James Corner Field Operations architectural team in this Dallas Innovates article highlighting the holistic approach taken in reimagining the District, and the influence of temperature data from microclimatic sensors installed on Harry Hines by Hyphae Design Labs.
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Horticultural Therapy Uses Nature to Help Heal
This article discusses the history of horticultural therapy which originated during the World War II era as a practice to support wound and PTSD recovery. Read to learn more about the various applications of horticulture therapy today in healthcare settings, from accessible gardens in retirement communities to greenspace views from hospital rooms and its rehabilitative benefits for mental and physical health conditions.
Image Credits: Eternity in an Instant / Getty Images
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Pedestrian Diaries: Discovering Public Space in Downtown Dallas on foot, through ink, and paper
This blog from Studio Outside’s Meghan Obernberger presents a realistic, yet optimistic perspective of navigating Downtown Dallas’ sidewalks, public land, and park systems as a pedestrian.“Coming to Dallas, I was warned about the car-centric scale and planning of the city. While this reputation is fair, I have been pleasantly surprised by the walkability and public parks within Downtown Dallas.”
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Hospital-oriented development, and complementing medical districts with open greenspace, more attractive office settings, nearby residential areas and entertainment is the "next big thing" in urban planning. “If we change our thinking, hospitals can be an economic development engine and resilient real estate model, with positive impacts on people and the environment.” - Erik Aulestia, principal of Torti Gallas & Partners. Image Credits: Erik Austria
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In our efforts to expand engagement and stay connected, we've expanded to LinkedIn! If you are a current LinkedIn member, please like our new page. You’ll find educational content, best practices, and updates on the District’s transformation.
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