We started Workshop #4 on the move as we commuted from the Irvine Train Station to the Irvine Company’s Corporate Offices. There, they taught us about the planning that goes into building a new community. Next, we learned about affordable housing options here in Orange County. From mandates to finances, there is a lot that goes into creating these opportunities. From there, we took Irvine’s iShuttle to the Irvine Civic Center where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the Traffic Research and Control Center. There is a lot of planning and engineering to make sure transportation runs efficiently, and it was helpful to see the big picture. Back on the train, we headed to the Orange County Rescue Mission. The facility was beautiful and an incredible resource for anyone needing a hand. There, Becks McKeown of ROCKharbor’s City Liaison for Homelessness and Scott Larson, the Executive Director of HomeAid Orange County explained about the resources they provide day-to-day and how they help people get on their feet. We also heard about the future of transportation from Chris Gray, a Senior Associate with Fehr and Peers. He spoke about the upcoming trends and what might change in the next ten years. Between traffic, transportation, and housing, we asked a lot of questions, and we enjoyed learning about the resources that Orange County has to offer.
