TAMU and UT Austin Students Join Forces for First-Ever COLLAB Event
Urban planning students from Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin gathered on April 3-4 for the inaugural COLLAB event, a student-led initiative aimed at tackling the pressing challenges of urban growth and sustainability in Texas.
Spearheaded by Liz Grindstaff ‘86, of the college’s Urban Planning Professional Advisory Council, COLLAB brought together aspiring planners from both institutions to collaborate on real-world planning issues. The event featured expert speakers, interactive workshops, and a charrette—an intensive planning session—giving students hands-on experience in addressing complex urban development concerns.
A Unique Opportunity for Future Urban Planners
COLLAB, designed as an annual event alternating between Texas A&M and UT Austin, aspires to unite student organizations from both universities to explore solutions for statewide planning challenges. The event is modeled after the Aggie Workshop, a long-standing tradition within Texas A&M’s Urban Planning program, and aims to establish a legacy of student-driven innovation in the field.
With sponsorship from organizations such as the City of College Station, Freese and Nichols, META Planning & Design, Jim Carillo, and The Goodman Corporation, the event provided an immersive experience for students interested in urban development, infrastructure, and sustainability.
Event Details and Schedule
The event kicked off with a welcome reception on Thursday, April 3, from 8 to 10 p.m. at the City of College Station Visitor Center. The evening featured guest speakers Annick Beaudet, FAICP, and Alex Medina from the Austin Transit Partnership, who introduced the official topic of the charrette. Students were then assigned to teams to craft their collaborative efforts.
“I think the beautiful part about the planning field is that there is just so many aspects that you can grasp onto. It could be housing, it could be transitive, and it could be psychology. So this is a good exercise to look around one of your interests,” said Alex Medina.
On Friday, April 4, the charrette took place at the City of College Station Council Chambers, running from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teams spent the day developing their responses to the given planning challenge, refining their ideas, and preparing presentations. During the lunch session, Jed Poster, Senior Director of High-Speed Rail at Amtrak, presented an update on Amtrak’s interest in high-speed rail development in Texas. The event concluded with team presentations from 3 to 5 p.m., where students showcased their findings and proposed solutions.
Why COLLAB Matters
With Texas experiencing rapid urban growth, new and innovative planning approaches are crucial to ensuring the sustainability of cities and infrastructure. COLLAB offers a space for students to explore pressing issues such as water security, high-speed rail, climate change, and urban development. The event allows students to develop real-world solutions while networking with industry professionals and potential employers.
“The growth of our state continues at an unprecedented rate, and new solutions are necessary to address the population, its required infrastructure, and needed services,” said event organizers. “What better way to foster problem-solving than by bringing talented students together to create solutions that could shape the future?”
Future of COLLAB
The success of this first COLLAB event could pave the way for annual gatherings that bring together urban planning students from across Texas and beyond. As the planning profession evolves, fostering collaboration among future leaders in the field is key to addressing the state’s most pressing development challenges.
For students in Texas A&M’s College of Architecture, this event represents a chance to expand their professional networks, gain valuable experience, and contribute to real-world urban planning solutions. With dedicated sponsors and a clear mission, COLLAB is set to become a cornerstone event for urban planning education in Texas.
