Tag: architecture
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From Trading Path to Transit Mall to… ? The Life of Tryon Street
Walk down Tryon Street on any given afternoon and you are moving through one of the most layered landscapes in the American South. Glass towers reflect clouds overhead. A food truck idles near a mid-century bank facade. Somebody’s grandmother waits for a bus in the same spot where, a few centuries ago, a Catawba trader…
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Love Note to the Queen City
This February, we’re sharing our love for Charlotte and the places that make it special. How you feel about your city depends on many factors—but most of them are tied to urban design! Well-being, belonging, and connection are amplified in public spaces, from streets to neighborhood coffee shops. Good urban design gives these spaces what…
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Grant Opportunities Across Charlotte
This article provides grant seekers with a list of funding opportunities outside of the Urban Design Center that may align with their goals and needs for community projects. Please read each description to determine which grant might be the best fit for you.
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Holiday Gifts to the Street: How the Season Reveals the Best of City Design
A kid obsessed with the Holiday Season For those that know me well, it’s no secret that I love the holidays. I was the kid that would watch old holiday movies like White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street every year (multiple times, too!) while members of my family would roll their eyes. That obsession…
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Urbies 2025 Recap: Celebrating 5 Years of Urban Design Excellence
On Thursday, October 23, the City of Charlotte Urban Design Center, in partnership with the UNC Charlotte David R. Ravin School of Architecture and Charlotte Center City Partners, hosted the fifth annual Urban Design Awards, affectionately known as The Urbies. Held at the Urban Design Center’s South End Studio, the event brought together designers, planners,…
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Welcoming the Newest Team Members to the Urban Design Center
The Urban Design Center is thrilled to welcome two new team members who bring fresh perspectives, diverse experiences, and a shared passion for shaping accessible and vibrant urban spaces. Dhanya Mamallan: Associate Urban Designer & Planner Originally from Chennai, India—a city known for its rich cultural heritage and dynamic urban life—Dhanya brings a global lens…
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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…