Charlotte Urban Design Center
Hi there!
Welcome to the Charlotte Urban Design Center’s blog. Here, you will find in-depth storytelling, thought leadership and information on the latest design trends from the UDC’s resident experts.
Our Mission
The Charlotte Urban Design Center’s mission is to advance the quality of Charlotte’s built environment and bring public awareness to the importance of urban design.
What we do
The Charlotte Urban Design Center reveals how design influences quality of life and economic resilience, and advocates for great public places in a livable city.
Our Focus
With its focus on advancing the city’s built environment and the diversity of expertise among its staff, the Charlotte Urban Design Center brings unique value and perspectives to the City of Charlotte’s infrastructure, transit, placemaking, economic development projects.
Keep reading for more examples of our work!
Our most recent stories
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Public Space in Poland: An Exploration of Third Places
Written by Justin Ritchey Imagine wandering through a narrow city street, rough cobblestone at your feet, colorful storefronts on either side with donuts and pastries in the windows. People are sitting outside, coffee in hand, talking with a good friend. As you approach the end of the street, it opens into a large square lined…
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Harnessing the Power of Place
Written by Jen Baehr – Charlotte Historic Preservation Honoring Charlotte’s Historic Landmarks Every year in May, local historic preservation groups, historical societies, businesses, and civic organizations across the country celebrate Preservation Month. This year’s theme, “Harnessing the Power of Place,” recognizes the many ways that preservation work strengthens communities, revitalizes neighborhoods, supports sustainability, and connects…
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Biking Around Charlotte
Written by Kara O’Hearn Imagine you are biking along one of the many greenway routes in Charlotte with large, lush trees offering refuge from the sun and a brambling creek at your side with kids running around, families walking side by side and others pausing to soak in the linear enclave of nature within the…
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Building Better Cities: The Triple Bottom Line in Urban Design
Written by Chad Cramer What is the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)? Decisions are often driven by a predominant metric—the bottom line. We frequently hear decisions framed with questions like: How much will it cost? How much profit will it generate? This approach can be problematic, as prioritizing economic return often comes at the expense of…
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MPact Philly: History, Art, and Partnerships
Written by Madison Dugar Philadelphia is a city where history meets innovation. Known as the birthplace of the United States, it has evolved into a hub of diverse cultures. With one of the largest and oldest transit systems in the country, SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority), Philadelphia serves as an ideal setting to explore the…
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New Faces, Fresh Perspectives: Charlotte Urban Design Center Welcomes Dynamic Team Members
The City of Charlotte’s Urban Design Center continues to strengthen its commitment to creating vibrant, people-centered spaces with the addition of three talented professionals to their team. These new hires bring diverse backgrounds in architecture, urban design, and placemaking, reinforcing Charlotte’s dedication to thoughtful urban development. Chad Cramer: Bringing Planning Expertise with New Orleans Flair…
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Hope Amongst the Rubble
Opportunities to Rebuild Western North Carolina in the Face of Climate Catastrophe About the author Aspen Johnston is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Urban Design at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This fall, the Urban Design Center awarded Aspen a year-long fellowship enabling them to work under the tutelage of practicing…
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Recap: the 2024 Urban Design Awards
The City of Charlotte Urban Design Center and the UNC Charlotte David R. Ravin School of Architecture presented the city’s fourth annual Urban Design Awards, also known as the Urbies, on Thursday, November 7th in a ceremony dedicated to showcasing excellent urban design. The awards program is a yearly recognition and celebration of quality urban…
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Meet Charlotte: Our New Project Manager!
We’re thrilled to announce the newest addition to our Urban Design Center: Charlotte Lamb Kuuskvere! With her extensive experience in urban planning and design, Charlotte is set to make a significant impact in her role as Project Manager and Urban Designer. A Charlotte Native with a Diverse Professional Background Born and raised in Charlotte, Charlotte’s…
For the full list of articles, visit the Blog Archive.
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