Known for its unique Moorish Revival architecture, and beset by a host of urban problems, the Miami suburb may have found its savior in Germane Barnes. The young architect and planner aims to revitalize the area without gentrifying it.
Situated north of Miami, Opa-Locka is known for its "Moorish" take on 1920s Art Deco design. It also harbors festering crime problems and a disadvantaged populace. The city has recently embraced Germane Barnes, a planner and architect who believes that revitalization need not bring about gentrification and displacement.
Since moving in as designer-in-residence, Barnes has taken on projects that he hopes will rekindle the city's image of itself.
In his words, "This experience has let me know that architecture can speak to and touch people and change things, regardless of what academia or what the old guard may want you to believe [...] What starts as a grand proposal may need to be scaled back, big time. So now, we may only do three or four projects instead of a dozen, but it helps us focus on things we can change instead of spinning our wheels."
Barnes' completed projects include an arts and recreation center, a community park, and a high-impact repainting project on Ali Baba Avenue, one of the neighborhood's main thoroughfares. "His next series of projects, including a community garden and urban farm as well as a proposed series of public houses, open studio spaces meant for the community, aim to provide much needed infrastructure and fresh food."
FULL STORY: How Urban Planner Germane Barnes is Reviving a Forgotten Miami Suburb
Miami’s Underline Linear Park Offers Recreation, Transportation, Conservation
A 10-mile park that runs under the Miami Metrorail is nearly complete and features bioswales for water conservation and public recreation facilities.
Miami Breaks Ground on All-Electric Transit Center
The terminal will have the capacity to power 100 electric buses.
Learning From Miami
Miami is denser than most American cities, but is more car-dependent than some less compact cities. Why?
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.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
Zero-Emission Bus Fleets Grow, But Federal Funding Is in Jeopardy
Transit agencies around the country have purchased over 7,000 zero-emission buses, but a federal program that funds the shift could be eliminated under the new administration.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Wisconsin Governor Opens Window for Regional Transit Authority
The proposed state budget includes a provision that allows local governments to establish a dedicated transit tax.
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.
Strategic Economics Inc
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service