Parks almost always sound like a good idea. But some are vacant while others are transformative. Here's a list of ten recently completed projects that fall solidly in the latter category.
Back in the day, parks used to be one of two things: beautiful refuges from urban hustle and bustle, with trees, flowers, and grass; or recreation centers, with jungle gyms and ballfields. Today, parks' attributes are more vast and more subtle, and design is often a crucial difference between a good idea and a place that is actually vibrant and attractive.
The Urban Land Institute recently recognized ten parks in cities across the United States that went above and beyond expectations. They include Dallas' Klyle Warren Park, Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park, St. Louis' Citygarden, and—not surprisingly—New York City's High Line.
Some of the parks, like Vancouver's Southeast Falls Creek, are meant to bring nature back to the city. Others, like Washington's Yards Park, have "outdoor rooms" where people can gather and enjoy public space.
FULL STORY: 10Best: Parks that have helped revive their cities
Ten Years of the High Line—Time to Reflect
As the High Line turns ten, a debate about the costs and benefits of urban revitalization continues.
Reviews and Reflections on the Best New Urban Parks
The New Republic offers a look and review of some of the nation's best new urban parks.
Innovative Park Agencies Receive National Recognition
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently announced the recipients of this year’s awards for innovation in health and wellness, equity, conservation, and park design.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)