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
Project
Introduction
This final project engages students in the conceptual design of 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue between West Main St. and University Boulevard in City of Durant, OK, approximately 1 mile each.
The existing built environment consists of streets with intermittent sidewalks that pass through predominantly residential areas while connecting to schools, parks, downtown, and other high-use public facilities. The proposed project focuses on the refinement and reconfiguration of two existing city street corridors. No buildings will be constructed or rehabilitated; rather, the project concentrates on enhancing the public right-of-way through streetscape improvements that significantly upgrade safety, accessibility, and overall corridor quality.
Community Goals
The objective of this project is to transform two underutilized one-way, two-lane streets into a complete street network (reconfigured as one-lane, one-way streets with protected bike lanes) providing safe, accessible, and pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly connections among Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Historic Downtown Durant, nearby schools, parks, community facilities, and surrounding neighborhoods. By reallocating roadway space for protected bicycle infrastructure and improved sidewalks, the project supports users of all ages and abilities, increases active transportation, enhances safety and public health, strengthens community identity, boosts economic vitality, and reduces household reliance on automobiles.
Deliverable
By the end of the project, student teams will produce a set of integrated design recommendations that include:
- Executive Summary outlining project goals, design rationale, and key outcomes (200 words max.)
- Context Diagram illustrating how the study area connects to adjacent neighborhoods and destinations
- Complete Street Master Plan for 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue (sections on West Main Street and University Boulevard are included)
- Detailed Dimensional Perspective Section Drawings for each complete street typology proposed in the plan
- At least two “Before” images and corresponding proposed-condition Renderings
- At least two Enlarged Drawings illustrating special street treatments (e.g., intersections, crossings, gateways, or curb extensions)
Evaluation Rubric Statement
While grounded in a real-world community context, proposals are evaluated based on how clearly, convincingly, and visually the narrative, site plan, programming, and resilient strategies advance the stated community goals.
Project Groups
Students will be organized into three groups, with nine students in each group. Prior to group formation, students will complete a brief survey assessing their skill sets and prior experience. Based on the survey results, the instructor will form the three groups to ensure a balanced and representative mix of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives within each team.
Community Snapshot
Durant is a rural community of just over 20,000; is home to Southeastern Oklahoma State University; is home to the headquarters of the Choctaw Nation; and, is rapidly growing with high aspirations but limited resources to create a more economically vibrant, better connected, safer, and more walkable and bike-able community.
Several non-profit organizations and enthusiastic citizens are stepping up to support the city, which is understaffed and overworked managing its ongoing operations. Support from OU’s IQC would be a huge leap forward by providing vital expertise to help Durant embark on a larger visionary project that will touch every resident.
Durant has a per capita income of $27,400, a median household income of $44,800 and a poverty rate of 20.4%, meaning 1 in 5 live below the poverty line.
Durant also has a fairly diverse population with 63% White, 14% Native American; 10% Hispanic; 3% Black; and, 15% two or more races. Durant’s population is also fairly young with 5% under 5 years; 22% under 18 years; and just 16% over 65 years.
The city’s financial strength is adversely impacted by state law which allows only sales tax and user fees to fund on-going city services. The city has many optimistic and hardworking residents eager to create a more vibrant, economically sustainable community.
In 2021, Durant adopted its Comprehensive Plan 2040 outlining a strong vision to renew the city but multiple transitions in city leadership have stalled its progress. A new city manager is now on board and many local organizations are collaborating with the city to move the 2040 Comprehensive Plan forward.
Beautification, place-making, and a more walkable community have been identified as high priority focal points though the city has minimal funds to invest in these areas.
In 2022, a small group of individuals interested in making Durant cleaner, greener, more bike-able, walkable and sustainable hosted an environmental meet and greet to assess community interest. The turnout was enthusiastic and unexpectedly large, which inspired the group to organize and begin offering free educational programs and then to collaborate with other groups to expand reach and impact and to work on tangible projects to improve our community. The Durant Sustainability Coalition (DSC) formerly organized and gained its non-profit 501c3 status that year, focusing on educating and energizing citizens in sustaining our region’s environmental richness, natural resources and beauty.
To date, DSC has presented 18 educational programs, convened high-level conversations with elected officials and community leaders, hosted two Earth Day festivals in partnership with almost 20 organizations, and provided survey data and community support on key city initiatives, including curbside recycling, creating more ped/bike routes and trails planting urban trees, and, cleaning up the towns. DSC has strategically promoted these four primary objectives and annually assesses its progress. DSC’s uniqueness and strength come from its collaboration with other nonprofit organizations and its focus on community engagement and education.
DSC is partnering with another non-profit organization, Durant Trails and Open Space, and several other organizations to expand the trails network and create a protected bike thoroughfare to connect downtown with the university and historic neighborhoods with schools and parks.
(Community Snapshot Source: Heart of Durant Community Connection 2025-2026 IQC Community Assistance Project RFP)
Student Preliminary Research Findings
History of the Place
Basemap
Socioeconomic Information
Environmental Context
Land Use & Activities
Stakeholder Interview Preparation
Stakeholder Interview Notes
Project References
Durant 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Durant Master Trails Plan 2017
Future Land Use Map
Durant Data Infographics
Walking, Jogging, and Running Heat Map
AARP Walk Audit, Durnat, Oklahoma
Durant AARP Livability Index
Bronco Logistics Unlimited Business Plan
Boys and Girls Club Site and Street Improvements
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Campus Master Plan