The availability and quality of the design of open space, whether it
is dedicated to such uses as recreation, nature preservation, or enhancing
neighborhood sidewalks and streets, is vital to a community’s quality
of life. It contributes to a positive neighborhood identity, and may serve
as a key strategy in community revitalization. The City Design Center
receives many requests to assist communities in improving open space design
in diverse locales including industrial, commercial, and residential areas.
The Center has worked with organizations in communities to assist in identifying
and developing strategies to meet open space needs and interests. Below,
several projects are described that provided assistance requested specifically
to improve community open space. Landscape and streetscape design, however,
has been integral in virtually all the Center’s Community Design
Excellence projects.
