Supporting One Appalachian City, Grassroots Thinking and Creativity

Natalia Echeverri profiles Asheville, NC, a town that that has transformed itself into a grassroots-oriented, local creative hub. One highlight? A recycled "design-build" studio constructed in 10 weeks.

1 minute read

October 27, 2011, 7:00 AM PDT

By Judy Chang


"The structure is both artistic and functional, allowing the creative exploration of community change to affect more people. Additionally, it provides a tangible example of how collaborative and creative projects can transform our neighborhoods and cities. Finally, it provides a safe, comfortable and stimulating space to activate young minds creatively for positive good. Already, neighborhood youth have been hanging out in structure. Getting schooled in Mystic Dreams instead of out in the streets will likely yield a new and exciting 'creative class.'"

Sunday, October 23, 2011 in POLIS

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.

19 minutes ago - 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

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

1 hour ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

2 hours ago - Happy Cities

View of downtown Dallas, Texas skyline with skyscrapers against twilight sky.

Dallas Code Reform Makes Way for Missing Middle Housing

The Dallas City Council voted to change the city’s building code to allow up to eight residential units in three-story buildings.

3 hours ago - Strong Towns