Tag: Placemaking


  • Building Better Cities: The Triple Bottom Line in Urban Design

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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!

    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…

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  • Announcing the 2023 Urbies Winners

    Announcing the 2023 Urbies Winners

    Charlotte, N.C. (Oct. 20, 2023) – The City of Charlotte Urban Design Center and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte School of Architecture presented the city’s third annual Urban Design Awards, also known as the Urbies, on Thursday in a ceremony dedicated to showcasing excellent urban design. The awards program aims to recognize and…

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  • A space becomes a place in Miami — the Underline

    A space becomes a place in Miami — the Underline

    When I think about Miami, I’ll usually associate it with the bits and pieces of pop culture embedded in me from my childhood years. Due to my slightly advanced age,

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  • The Second Annual Urban Design Awards

    The Second Annual Urban Design Awards

    On October 27th, The City of Charlotte Urban Design Center and the UNC-Charlotte School of Architecture presented the city’s second annual Urban Design Awards. Affectionally dubbed “The Urbies,” this awards program recognizes and celebrates quality urban design in Charlotte.

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