Op-Ed: Good Design Isn't Just for Downtowns

Richard Driehaus attests to the importance of intentional, context-oriented design on the neighborhood level.

1 minute read

June 16, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Street Design

La Citta Vita / Flickr

Richard Driehaus, better known as the man behind the Driehaus Architecture Prize, also bestows the Driehaus Awards for Architectural Excellence In Community Design for praiseworthy design at the neighborhood level.

In an op-ed, he calls on the incoming administration of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to give due consideration to the built environments of underinvested neighborhoods. "When we initiated the Driehaus Awards our intentions were to assert that the built environments of neighborhoods are as important as that of the city center," he writes.

"We can all learn from the designs of neighborhood builders," Driehaus continues, citing how they must pay attention to factors like budget, sustainability, and local context. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot "has staked her tenure on ensuring a new inclusiveness and equity throughout the city. We can therefore be hopeful for a new attention on neighborhoods — particularly those that have been bereft of needed investment for too long."

Driehaus concludes with an argument that "honoring" residents means building neighborhoods where "shopping, schools, housing and recreation" are within walking distance.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 in Crain's Chicago Business

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Red SF Muni ticketing machine.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time

A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

May 21 - San Francisco Examiner

Electric car charging station with several Chevy Bolts charging in parking lot of store in Bellingham, Washington

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth

Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

May 21 - GovTech

Top view new development riverside residential and commercial neighborhood with vacant land in Texas, USA.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas

Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.

May 21 - The Texas Tribune