A New Frontier for Urban Revitalization: Creeks

As more cities embrace small waterways for public and private development opportunities, experts caution about the risks of trusting existing resources on environmental risk along variable waterways.

1 minute read

March 4, 2022, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Truckee River

The economic development model for larger rivers like the Truckee in Reno, Nevada is becoming obvious. Cities looking to embrace smaller creeks as economic development resources will require caution to navigate unique risks. | Don Mammoser / Shutterstock

Kevin Williams reports for the New York Times of a trend among private developers and public officials toward recognizing the economic development potential of long-neglected creeks and waterways.

The example of Wolf Creek in Trotwood, Ohio opens the article. "A former rail line along the creek has been converted into a bike path, and on warm spring days, cyclists pedal under the shade of sycamores," according to Williams.

Smaller waterways like Wolf Creek offer their own unique challenges when compared to the economic development surrounding the waterfronts along larger rivers, according to the article. Some residents don't realize that new amenities have been added along creeks, for example, but there are also wide swings in the amount of water flowing through small creeks—a variability exacerbated by climate change, according to the article.

The article discusses a variety of challenges and lessons from small cities that have already chosen a creek-oriented approach to economic development. Among the experts cited in the article is Bill Becker, a climate change expert and former Department of Energy official and author of the book, The Creeks Will Rise. In particular, Bill Becker warns that 100-year and 500-year flood maps published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency might not go far enough in defining post-climate change risk.

"Past isn’t prologue anymore," says Becker in the article.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 in The New York Times

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

30 minutes ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

1 hour ago - The Texas Tribune

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News