Providence Plans Ambitious Public Space Makeover

Take a virtual tour of the new public spaces proposed in the Providence Unified Vision Plan.

1 minute read

July 21, 2021, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Waterplace Park

ESB Professional / Shutterstock

The city of Providence recently released new design images as part of its Providence Unified Vision Plan, an ambitious effort to rethink public space in the city by focusing on Kennedy Plaza and surrounding area as well as the Woonasquatucket River waterfront, according to an article by Matthew Marani. 

The plan would "transform the [Kennedy Plaza] site into a functioning public square with substantial green landscaping, shade structures, expansion of pedestrianized areas, and amenities such as bathrooms, a cafe, a new performance stage, and a seasonal ice skating rink."

Along the Woonasquatucket River, the plan proposes improved access, a new resilient Riverwalk, a renovated performance area and an experiential mist ring installation suspended over the river.

According to Marani, the Vision Plan has been championed by Mayor Jorge Elorza. Arup worked with the city to complete the plan, creating a virtual tour of the proposed design.

Thursday, July 15, 2021 in The Architect's Newspaper

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

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.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Bird's eye view of large apartment complex under construction next to four-lane road near Atlanta, Georgia.

How Atlanta Built 7,000 Housing Units in 3 Years

The city’s comprehensive, neighborhood-focused housing strategy focuses on identifying properties and land that can be repurposed for housing and encouraging development in underserved neighborhoods.

April 9, 2025 - Governing

People walking up and down stairs in New York City subway station.

In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving

Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.

30 minutes ago - Scientific American

White public transit bus with bike on front bike rack in Nashville, Tennessee.

Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan

Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.

1 hour ago - Bloomberg CityLab

An engineer controlling a quality of water ,aerated activated sludge tank at a waste water treatment plant.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding

The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive