One of the city’s biggest assets is its riverfront, but equity and inclusion need to be an important part of what development brings to residents and communities.

Carol Coletta of the Memphis River Parks Partnership writes that Memphis has not taken full advantage of the development and investment potential of the riverfront property along the Mississippi River. The organization, she says, is not funded specifically to pursue equity strategies, but the city's high levels of poverty and segregation means this aspect of its work cannot be ignored. "Instead, we must integrate equity into all that we do, and we must do it within existing financial constraints."
She outlines the model that guides the work of the partnership. Staff development involves providing a living wage and advancement opportunities, and contractor development supports minority- and women-owned businesses. The organization has also made community engagement a top priority, says Coletta. "We believe in the importance of inviting community members in, not just as consumers, but as shapers and stewards of the riverfront."
The riverfront needs to be accessible to all residents, and projects need to connect it to surrounding communities, adds Coletta. "In particular, we are leading efforts to define pedestrian and cycling corridors between the riverfront and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as bring attention to the long-overlooked MLK Park south of downtown, to use as an anchor for new investment in the adjacent neighborhood." Free programming is another way the organization is working to promote diversity among users of the riverfront.
"Questions of equity and inclusion are always present, both in the operation of the enterprise and in the riverfront we are attempting to create. Creating a riverfront that works for everyone, every day, is the only way to achieve our mission of harnessing the transformative power of the river for all Memphians," says Coletta.
FULL STORY: How Memphis, Tennessee is transforming the city through its riverfront

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition
Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City
In cities big and small, the tide is turning against sprawling parking lots, car-centric development, and minimum parking mandates.

Friday Eye Candy: 20 AI-Generated Cityscapes
AI-generated images are creating new landscapes and cityscapes, capable of inspiring awe or fear.

A Dallas Architect Designs Statement Buildings With a Purpose
The Dallas Morning News’ architecture critic profiles one of the city’s most important current architects.

Biden Designates a New National Monument in West Texas
The Castner Range National Monument in West Texas is the second of two new national monuments announced by President Joe Biden this week.

Study: Autonomous Cars Won’t Solve the Parking Problem
In hyper-dense cities where incentives to reduce car use and eliminate parking are already high, mass adoption of AVs won’t significantly reduce parking demand.
Princeton Planning
City of College Park
Houston-Galveston Area Council
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.