Category: Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development

Conceptual Design of Olde Richmond, Philadelphia: Olde Richmond Waterfront District

By Jo Kwon and Mariah Wozniak Introduction The Delaware River has played a vital role in Philadelphia’s economic development since the City’s inception as goods were transported via the River’s piers, wharfs, and canals to faraway places (Philadelphia2035 2011, 4). Access to the River provided an avenue to establish trade routes and enable the manufacturing economies that propelled Philadelphia into manufacturing prominence. However, Philadelphia neighborhoods … Continue reading Conceptual Design of Olde Richmond, Philadelphia: Olde Richmond Waterfront District

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization

The Case for Public Space in Porthole Alley

By Luke Lowry Franklin Street is undeniably the heart of Chapel Hill. It is where students rush after sports victories, where people socialize over food and drink, and where alumni reminisce about their college years.  While UNC is many things to many different people, there is one area where it objectively falls short—providing adequate public space. However, a recent proposal by UNC to redevelop Porthole … Continue reading The Case for Public Space in Porthole Alley

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development, Local Government, Opinion

The Untold Story of Amazon’s Arrival to Hudson Yards

By Brandon Tubby In March 2019, an assortment of politicians, businessmen, and architects gathered in Manhattan’s Far West Side to celebrate the grand opening of Hudson Yards, New York’s newest neighborhood. The city’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, though, was notably absent. Make no mistake – the event was certainly worthy of mayoral attention. With its soaring towers, expertly-engineered 26-acre platform, and $25 billion price tag, … Continue reading The Untold Story of Amazon’s Arrival to Hudson Yards

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development, Food Systems, Local Government, Research Triangle, Social Justice

How Immigrants Can Revitalize Rural Communities

For much of its history, Siler City, North Carolina was mostly white; now, due to jobs in poultry processing, the town is 40% Latinx. Driving through downtown, the demographic change is marked by the tiendas, beauty salons, and evangelical churches with signs en español that line the streets. Like many towns across the state, Siler City suffered when the furniture and textile industries moved elsewhere. … Continue reading How Immigrants Can Revitalize Rural Communities

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development, Local Government

Why Planners Should Study Finance

In 2016, Oregon planners hoped to take advantage of a new light-rail line between Portland and Gresham, a suburban city towards the east, by developing a mixed-use community around Gresham’s rail station. The project would be a walkable transit-hub in a city otherwise dominated by single-family homes and automobiles. But Metro – Portland’s regional government that purchased the land – faced a problem. Nearly all … Continue reading Why Planners Should Study Finance

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development, Land Use and Environmental Planning

The Impacts of Defining and Classifying Brownfields

 This piece was originally written by Ben Berolzheimer for Planning Methods (PLAN 720) in November 2018. What are brownfields and why should planners care about them? The United States EPA (1) defines a brownfield as “a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” Brownfields are located in just about … Continue reading The Impacts of Defining and Classifying Brownfields

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization, Economic Development, Placemaking and Design

Now Available Online – Just Creativity: Planning for Inclusive Prosperity

Volume 41 of the Carolina Planning Journal is now available for free on the Carolina Planning Journal webpage. Just scroll to the bottom and click on the link! “Planning for creativity must focus not only on maximizing revenues or attracting capital, it must also address the way that the arts contribute to more equitable, livable, and inclusive cities for all.” Continue reading Now Available Online – Just Creativity: Planning for Inclusive Prosperity

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization, Land Use and Environmental Planning

From Brownfields to Goldfields

“Potential site contamination. Remediation required.”   This phrase strikes fear into the hearts of investors and developers looking to finance their next project. An already strenuous process of site evaluation, plan development, and investment soliciting grinds to a halt as developers question whether clean-up efforts and future liabilities are worth further investment of time and resources. It is usually at this point where developers opt … Continue reading From Brownfields to Goldfields

Carolina Planning Journal Board
Downtown Revitalization, Landscape Architecture, Placemaking and Design

Reviving Wasted Pavement

How should we use public space in downtown cores? What is the social role of parks? What form can community action take? Angles sat down with environmental studies and city planning student Caroline Lindquist, a senior undergraduate at UNC-Chapel Hill, to find out. We discuss the parklet she and her friends designed, built, and enjoyed on September 16th, known fondly by guerrilla urbanists throughout as “PARK(ing) … Continue reading Reviving Wasted Pavement

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Bike Ped, Downtown Revitalization, Land Use and Environmental Planning, Opinion, Research Triangle, Transportation

Durham’s Crisis of Priorities: Parking and Housing

A version of the following piece was originally published in the Triangle-based Indy in response to an article about the downtown Durham parking “crisis”. The article mentions that the city of Durham will soon begin charging for on-street parking and that local leaders are debating whether to use two county-owned downtown parcels for parking or affordable housing. The assumption that plenty of parking should be … Continue reading Durham’s Crisis of Priorities: Parking and Housing

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