Residents and local officials in Charlotte, North Carolina have dreams of turning Central Avenue into a 'strollable' street, but unless the current zoning is changed, the desired transformation seems unlikely.
"The issue came up Monday night, obliquely, at an event sponsored by the Charlotte chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The AIA is engaged in a study of the Central Avenue corridor. It's looking at physical issues, such as connectivity, walkability and open space, plus safety, image and economic vitality.
At the meeting, east Charlotte residents spoke with affection of their neighborhoods. They love the international diversity they experience daily.
What they don't love are the tattered, '60s- and '70s-vintage commercial buildings that house many of the interesting, ethnic businesses. And no wonder. The buildings were designed for a 20- to 30-year lifespan. They're Kleenex buildings -- designed to be throwaway.
But what will happen when they finally do get discarded?
Unfortunately, unless the city changes its zoning rules, any new buildings will probably look much like the old ones. They'll have the same car-oriented suburban layouts -- death to any hopes of strollability."
FULL STORY: Suburban codes squelch hopes for Central
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research