Tag: travel


  • From Trading Path to Transit Mall to… ? The Life of Tryon Street

    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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  • Welcoming the Newest Team Members to the Urban Design Center

    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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  • Harnessing the Power of Place

    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

    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

    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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