While each of the four plans had the same input of information, the four outcomes varied widely when it came to circulation of pedestrian traffic, placement of pathways, the structure of new buildings, sitting areas, and retail development opportunities such as a grocery store and ice rink.

The 16 graduate students in the Advanced Planning Studio class aspired to create a flexible, inclusive, and active space around Denver Union Station that celebrates the historical character, integrates community identity, supports its mass transit function, and sustains the local and regional roles of the station. The four plans are available online and additional information is available at www.cudenver.edu/DUS/.

"This study and studio project were labor-intensive and involved a huge undertaking on the part of these students over the last four months," said Jeremy Nemeth, PhD, assistant professor of Planning and Design at CAP and principal investigator for the project. "Armed with results from both a public workshop and their own 14 weeks of intense analysis, these talented, multidisciplinary students developed four detailed solutions for the plaza."

The 16 students who took on this project are master's candidates and are CAP's most advanced students from a range of multidisciplinary architecture and planning degree backgrounds. They represent architecture, landscape architecture and urban and regional planning design students.

"The final designs are very thoughtful," added Nemeth. "We trust the development team and the public recognize the careful research and sensitive thinking driving this effort, and are hopeful they will include elements of the students' plans in their final design."