Memphis: Bringing Buildings To Life, Promoting Healthy Bodies

In this recent edition of Smart City, Memphis serves as a backdrop for creating historically themed entertainment districts and promoting healthy lifestyles through environmental change.

1 minute read

July 18, 2006, 8:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


Most cities have attempted to revive a collection of historic buildings. Many have tried to create new entertainment districts. And most aspire to have a place enjoyed equally by diverse people.

But few cities have attempted to do all three at the same time in the same place. Fewer still have succeeded. But developer John Elkington has done that for the city of Memphis with Beale Street. Host Carol Coletta spoke with John about issues surrounding this project and others like it. John is CEO of Performa Entertainment Real Estate.

Smart City also sat down with Denise Bollheimer and Dr. Jim Bailey who are determined to improve the health of their fellow citizens through the efforts of Healthy Memphis Common Table. It is a unique effort to tackle healthy lifestyles through environmental change. Denise is the former board chair of the organization and Jim is division chief of general internal medicine at the University of Tennessee.

Thanks to Eric Rudd

Thursday, July 13, 2006 in Smart City Radio

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 14, 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

Cobblestone street with vintage street lamps in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah Reduces Speed Limits on Almost 100 City Streets

The historic Georgia city is lowering speed limits in an effort to reduce road fatalities.

2 hours ago - WJCL

Sign for Loma Alta Park in Altadena, Los Angeles County.

A Park Reborn: Resilience and Renewal in Fire-Stricken Altadena

Rebuilt in just two months after the devastating Eaton Fire, Loma Alta Park now stands as a symbol of community resilience and renewal, even as some residents hope recovery efforts will continue to support housing stability and long-term equity.

3 hours ago - Pasadena NOw

Colorful historic homes in Madrid, Spain.

Spain Moves to Ban 66,000 Airbnbs

The national government is requiring the short-term rental operator to remove thousands of illegal listings from its site as part of an effort to stem a growing housing crisis.

5 hours ago - The New York Times

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.