The Project for Public Spaces says that despite its reputation as a sprawling, planning-free city, Houston is turning the lack of city planning to its advantage by inspiring a bottom-up approach.
PPS' team writes that in Houston today "...[t]he vision for a public place is now defined by stakeholders in the community with leaders and professionals helping to implement this vision. This approach is already paying off-downtown Houston is thriving from hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment and never before have so many come downtown to enjoy the new amenities."
They look at newly revitalized public spaces like Baker Ripley Neighborhood Center, Discovery Green and Market Square Park:
"The core of this vision was to ensure there is something to do in Market Square Park all times of day and evening. It features a very popular Greek outdoor café with dining trellis, water features, artwork, two dog runs, a variety of places to sit, eat and people watch and neighborhood-friendly programming such as movies and live music. The square has become a popular destination for visitors, but more importantly, it has become a beloved gathering place for local residents."
FULL STORY: Houston is North America's Placemaking Capital
Making Places in Houston
Houston is leading the way in creating new public spaces. This article from The Project for Public Spaces looks at a few of the city's efforts.
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Houston Mayor Pauses Complete Streets Projects
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Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
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Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
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World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
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California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
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AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
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City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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