2024 Summer Issue of Urban Land - 35

water of the Inner Harbor, the city's most
treasured placemaking asset. The new plan
by MCB Real Estate and Gensler reconnects
the city to its waterfront and democratizes
the ground plane with enhanced universal
pedestrian and vehicular access, intentional
viewsheds, and a reimagined public park and
waterfront promenade, granting all Baltimoreans
the opportunity to gather and celebrate
their great city.
What recent placemaking success stories
should more people know about, and
why?
LAW: Recently, ULI Hong Kong partnered
with the Bank of America and Link Real
Estate Investment Trust to host a community
event to transform the rooftop of Hong
Kong's Choi Wan Commercial Complex into
a garden with planters and sitting areas and
shade structures. It was also an opportunity
for local kids to come together with artists,
volunteers, and residents of the Choi Wan
Estate public housing.
MAWEMA: The most interesting placemaking
success stories are about developments that
seamlessly become the connective fabric that
stiches communities together. Fifth + Broadway
in Nashville is a great example of placemaking
that balances the needs of locals and
tourists. The Yards in Washington, D.C., is
an example of how design can successfully
create a sustainable, thriving neighborhood
from scratch, while becoming a catalyst for
waterfront reclamation.
DAMON: As the gateway cities struggle with
housing affordability, there is a renaissance
in smaller cities, many of which have learned
from what the larger cities have already
attempted with respect to diversity of funding;
sustainability of operations; and incorporation
of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I've been involved with the new Bay Park in
Sarasota, Florida, a rapidly growing city. It is
going to be a spectacular park and cultural
complex, and the first phase is now open,
with its performing arts anchor still to come.
It [features programming] virtually every day.
HELLER: Little Island, a relatively new public
park in New York City's Hudson River Park, is
a dynamic space with an amphitheater, space
to wander, food and beverage offerings,
and play areas. The Anaheim Packing District
developed by LAB Holding, is another
good example of how place can be catalytic.
The Bishop Arts District in Dallas [revolves]
around local art purveyors, retail, and food
and beverage.
Other placemaking trends you're excited
about?
MAWEMA: I feel encouraged by the public
and private partnerships that are forming to
focus resources on ways that truly revitalize
downtowns across the country. It's more
important than ever before that our local,
state, and federal governments be a unified
front in saving our cities' assets from
their ongoing challenges and [create] lasting
change.
TAKÁCS: I'm excited about the trend to
convert distressed office buildings in our
downtowns into multifamily housing. We
are seeing an incredible momentum and
leadership on the government side, with
strong desire and creativity on the privatesector
side, to transform these empty or
failing buildings into real community assets.
Residential conversions can contribute much
more vitality to downtown life than a Class
B or C office building could ever dream of.
Let's do this in a creative way that brings
multigenerational residents, small shops, and
services to support a walkable lifestyle without
the car. Of course, it's very expensive
and sometimes impractical to convert old
office buildings to housing, but the potential
upside for placemaking downtown is well
worth the stretch.
DAMON: It's not that new a trend, but I'm
excited about greenways and urban trails.
They are inclusive almost by definition,
because they connect one place to another,
and they bring people through places they
might not travel otherwise. They're relatively
cheap to build and operate, as well, compared
to a big new signature park.UL
RON NYREN is a San Francisco-based architecture and urban
design writer.
SUMMER 202 4
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2024 Summer Issue of Urban Land

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