The Design Downtown Denton plan takes aim at improving walkability and highlighting the city’s historic assets.
Denton, Texas has released its Design Downtown Denton plan, which outlines the city’s plans for revitalization over the next decade. Penny Kimble describes the plan in the Denton Record-Chronicle.
The city is prioritizing eight areas:
- Art, music and entertainment
- Bike and pedestrian mobility
- Culture
- Housing development
- Parks and public spaces
- Retail and commercial development
- Safety
- Traffic and transit
The plan recommends strategies that include better utilizing the streetscape, improving public spaces, and promoting nightlife and culture. “As a way to incorporate all of these recommendations and potential projects into one cohesive plan, the city does propose establishing a consistent brand downtown to help downtown imagery reflect the city’s identity.”
Proposed projects include adding bike and pedestrian infrastructure to make downtown streets more walkable, planting more trees to reduce heat and provide shade, renovating a historic park, and activating vacant lots of pocket parks.
Denton officials want to build on the city’s history and character, emphasizing “preserving historic resources, like local small businesses and landmarks through grants, tax credits and conservation districts.”
The document recommends the creation of a public improvement district to fund public projects and services.
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Sioux Falls Downtown Plan Targets Mobility, Safety, Community
The South Dakota city is taking public input on its proposal for improving transportation, job opportunities, and culture downtown.
Reorienting Business Districts for Walkability
Traditionally car-friendly Business Improvement Districts are turning to walkability and bike infrastructure to replace the 9-to-5 crowd and boost local economies.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)