The Phoenix region, as a relatively young metropolitan area, has sprawled as it's grown and for much of its expansion has overlooked placemaking considerations. A recent feature in The Arizona Republic highlights the places that standout.
"Compared to many other cities, metro Phoenix is like a gangly adolescent in terms of development, still working on building its character," according to an article by Parker Leavitt. "But the East Valley, home to more than 1.4 million people and 18,000 businesses, is beginning to see more areas — [Mark Stapp, director of Arizona State University's Master of Real Estate Development program] calls them 'nodes' — emerge with that coveted 'sense of place.'"
One of those locations, according to Stapp's explanation in the article, is Gilbert's Heritage District. But that's not all: "Even established destinations like Old Town Scottsdale are evolving. The Western flavor of Scottsdale's core is familiar to tourists but now is drawing more residents and office workers. The nearby Waterfront area turns a canal into a unique attraction."
The article includes a slideshow showing ten East Valley places noteworthy for their sense of place. Each of the locations includes a brief blurb describing their success in achieving the outcomes that still remain rare, according to the article's premise, around the region.
Read the full story: 10 East Valley spots to escape suburban sprawl
Against Generic Placemaking
'Placemaking,' the process by which cities and developers supposedly create appealing public spaces, is in a crisis, writes critic James Russell. Too many "made" places are generic and lack true relevance to the cities that build them.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
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Phoenix cuts transit fares for low-income riders, tables fare-free days
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
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California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority