World Urban Parks’ Post

What makes a city a great place to live? 🏙️ Access to green space is especially valuable for residents. Investing resources to make urban parks attractive to different groups is a sure way to improve equitable inclusion. Phalen Park in St. Paul, MN, offers a model for other diverse urban communities. 🌳🚲 Read more in this opinion piece from The Conversation: https://lnkd.in/euzMAneJ.

This is a very interesting article about parks in communities. The thing that is missing is how the role of parks change in denser communities and how we still have many lessons to learn from Europe on that.

Mobility in Central Park has evolved significantly since its opening in 1858 — from horses and carriages to bicycles, motor vehicles, and ultimately the ban on personal vehicles in 2018. Now, we once again are reimagining the future of movement within one of the world's most beloved urban parks. Plans are underway to update Central Park's iconic Drives, which still largely resemble traditional roadways, to better serve the needs of today’s diverse park users. I am honored to have worked on and excited to announce the release of the Central Park Drives Safety and Circulation report. Take a look at our study and recommendations in the link below. Thank you to the team Mike Flynn, Lian Farhi, and Colin Brown, AICP - among many others at TYLin | Sam Schwartz City Solutions, the Central Park Conservancy, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, and New York City Department of Transportation.

I have always been fascinated by emerging concepts and how they become established and shape the world and the future. It is also the adoption of a concept especially where it maybe counter-intuitive or not within the confines of that sector that I have found intriguing.  The original idea of protecting a tract of land far away from the major cities by John Muir well over 150 years ago, was probably initially a strange idea, that is now very well entrenched globally. Why? and why did it become a centre piece of our global thinking - given it was a simple idea. The recent, simple observation and question of why the IUCN’s Protected Areas Categories never included the city landscape, is a case in point. Until recently, in modern western paradigms, we have generally seen people as separate from nature or environment. This has changed dramatically in the last 20 years, as societies recognise the rights of Traditional Owners and First Nations. Even countries such as England has had National Parks that include private and public land. However, it was this simple observation over a decade ago by Daniel Raven-Ellison that has changed the world’s perspective on this. The following Essays, are a reflective look at the concepts that have emerged and changed the way we manage Cities, Parks and Nature and also the challenges that are still being viewed the same way.  The Journey retraces the original National Park concept and emergence of national parks in cities. It is a brief journey and borrows much from the great inspirational work of Daniel Raven-Ellison. Enjoy Daniel Raven-Ellison National Park City Green Adelaide World Urban Parks

At Epic Asset Management, we've taken a bold step into the future of housing with our latest case study on micro-apartments. Here are five key takeaways that highlight our journey and insights into this innovative approach: 1. Pioneering Micro-Apartment Development: Back in 2016, we recognized the growing need for compact, affordable urban housing. By acquiring 80 units and developing an additional 215 by 2019, we’ve positioned ourselves as leaders in Seattle’s micro-apartment market. 2. Sustainable, Affordable Living: Our commitment to eco-friendly living is at the core of our micro-apartment designs. These spaces not only maximize utility but also minimize environmental impact, making them ideal for workforce residents seeking affordability without sacrificing quality. 3. Community Engagement: We believe that a home is more than just a space; it’s about community. By offering shared amenities and hosting community-building events, we’ve achieved high resident satisfaction and impressive retention rates. Happy residents are the heart of our success. 4. Navigating Regulations: The housing landscape is ever-changing, and so are we. Our adaptability to Seattle’s evolving housing laws, including the recent co-living legalization, has allowed us to stay ahead of the curve and continue to thrive in the micro-apartment sector. 5. Financial Success and Growth: With strong occupancy rates and consistent rent growth, we’re not just surviving; we’re thriving. Our focus on flexibility, sustainability, and tech-forward solutions positions us well for future expansion in the micro-housing market. Curious about how micro-housing can reshape urban living? Dive into our case study for a deeper understanding, and let’s spark a conversation about the future of housing! #Housing #Sustainability #Community #MicroApartments

The Central Park Conservancy, New York City Department of Transportation, and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation have released the Central Park Drives Safety and Circulation Study, a report outlining 14 community-informed recommendations to improve safety and mobility on the Drives, the 6-mile loop road inside the Park. We were honored to support planning, design, and outreach as part of this landmark effort. https://lnkd.in/edB2nKGG #safety #mobility #parks #PublicSpace #transportation

Austin Parks Ranked No. 3 in Texas in the annual 2024 ParkScore Index by Trust for Public Land. Did you know?: -69% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park -Austin's investment in parks stands at $198 per capita, well above the national average of $124. -11% of our land is dedicated to parks and recreation This recognition underscores why Austin is such an attractive place to live, work, and play. Enhancing our quality of life through accessible and well-funded green spaces helps make our city a vibrant hub for businesses and families alike. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02Gtx6N0

“I think we can reframe our thinking about parks as not solely recreation, but as critical economic, social, and environmental infrastructure." Honored to be featured in this Fast Company article about the role of parks in fast-growing places like Fort Worth. Imagine if every city was able to double-down on parks! This Patrick Sisson article also highlights the findings from a great study by the Trust for Public Land in conjunction with HR&A Advisors that demonstrates the correaltion between parks and economic vitality. Check out the full story. https://lnkd.in/eaAi5XzB

Catch Eli Dvorkin and I in amNY today, making the case that the time is *now* for the city to think outside the box with new ways to sustainably fund our parks and open space—their ongoing maintenance, and future creation. (And our Center for an Urban Future report has 20 ideas to do exactly that.) https://lnkd.in/eR8X7zJ5

Langone Park & Puopolo Playground, a project designed by Weston & Sampson, is featured in the Urban Land Institute's "Parks That Protect" report. This recognition underscores the park’s role as a model for innovation and resilience in urban waterfront spaces. As cities worldwide face the growing impacts of climate change, waterfront parks like Langone are emerging as powerful tools to build resilience. This ULI report highlights leading-edge park projects that protect neighborhoods from storms and rising waters while enhancing residents' health and quality of life. Langone Park exemplifies this approach by integrating flood mitigation and sustainable design strategies to safeguard Boston’s North End. It’s an honor to see our work recognized in this global report as a valuable case study for city officials, developers, and nonprofit partners striving to create resilient waterfront parks in their communities. 📖 Explore the full report and learn more about the innovative designs shaping the future of urban resilience: https://ow.ly/feQ550Upls1 #ResilientDesign #UrbanParks #ClimateAdaptation #ParksThatProtect #SustainableCities