The Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition (PCDC) sponsored a trip by 30 community leaders in land use, economic development, quality of life projects, and community building to Chattanooga in October 2005 to survey the impressive makeover of Chattanooga's infrastructure and amenities, and to learn from those who engineered it.

Over the past decade, Pittsburgh realized almost $4 billion in new development. Design has been a critical element in the success of many of those efforts: PNC Park was designated by Sports Illustrated, USA Today, and ESPN.com as the best ballpark in the major leagues; and architect Raphael Vinoli's design for the David Lawrence Convention Center was the result of an international competition. Using HOPE VI grants, Pittsburgh replaced an isolated and deteriorated public housing project with a mixed-income, mixed-use community of townhouses and garden-style homes.

The PCDC intends to build on those achievements and make design a defining feature of the Pittsburgh region. The Pittsburgh civic leaders who participated in the Chattanooga trip identified five principles that can be applied to support the continuation and enhancement of quality planning and design in Pittsburgh. Those "Lessons Learned" are:
1. A Clear Regional Vision
2. Public Participation in A One-Stop Design Center
3. Portable Planning for Neighborhoods
4. Design Excellence

Initially convened by The Heinz Endowments in 2004, the Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition is a volunteer alliance of design activists. Members of the PCDC are AIA/Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University's Urban Lab, City of Pittsburgh Planning Department, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Green Building Alliance, The Heinz Endowments, Riverlife Task Force, and Sustainable Pittsburgh.

A complete report from the Chattanooga trip is available on the PCDC website at www.PGHdesigncoalition.org.

Related Link: Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition

For more information contact:

Judith Kelly
Judith Kelly + Associates on behalf of Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition
411 Seventh Avenue, Suit 925
Pittsburgh
PA 15222
United States

Phone: 412.281.0995
Email: [email protected]