Planning Issues In Depth

APA Recognizes 2011 Great Places in America

October 4, 2011

APA PRESS RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Planning Association (APA) today announced the country’s 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces for 2011 through the organization’s national program, Great Places in America.

Launched in 2007, Great Places in America recognizes unique and exemplary streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces — three essential components of all communities. These authentic places have been shaped by forward thinking planning that showcases diverse architectural styles, promotes community involvement and accessibility, and fosters economic opportunity.

“We’re recognizing 30 special and unique places this year located across the continent and on two islands — Nantucket and Maui,” said APA Chief Executive Officer W. Paul Farmer, FAICP.

“From Providence, Rhode Island’s historic College Hill neighborhood and  St. Louis’s revitalized Washington Avenue to Tacoma, Washington’s Point Defiance old-growth forest and park and Colorado Springs, Colorado’s Garden of the Gods Park,” Farmer continued, “our 2011 Great Places reflect a tremendous amount of history, diversity and economic vitality. We hope they inspire others to envision, plan and create their own great places.”

APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live every day. They are defined by many characteristics including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. To date 140 places have been designated in 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Great Places in America is just one of the ways APA recognizes and celebrates National Community Planning Month (www.planning.org/ncpm) each October. The special month is designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities.

The 2011 designees, listed below, are not ranked. Additional details about each designee, including characteristics, maps, photos and the features that lead to the awards, are available at www.planning.org/greatplaces.

2011 Great Neighborhoods

Highland Park, Birmingham, Alabama
Northbrae, Berkeley, California
Ansley Park, Atlanta, Georgia
The Pullman Neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois
Gold Coast & Hamburg Historic District, Davenport, Iowa
Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Dundee-Memorial Park, Omaha, Nebraska
German Village, Columbus, Ohio
Swan Lake, Tulsa, Oklahoma
College Hill, Providence, Rhode Island

2011 Great Streets

Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California
U Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
Front Street, Lahaina, Hawaii
Main Street, Galena, Illinois
Main Street, Nantucket, Massachusetts
Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri
Market Street and Market Square, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Downtown Woodstock Streetscape, Woodstock, Vermont
King Street, Alexandria, Virginia
Davis Street, Culpeper, Virginia

2011 Great Public Spaces

Fairmount Park, Riverside, California
Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana
Gray’s Lake Park, Des Moines, Iowa
Rice Park, St. Paul, Minnesota
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Nashville, Tennessee
Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
Maymont, Richmond, Virginia
Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, Washington
Milwaukee RiverWalk, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What Makes a Great Place?

Probably we all can think of a street, neighborhood, or public place that is unique or memorable, but what makes it special? What elements combine to produce a place that not only works for people in the community but rises far above the ordinary?

APA’s selection guidelines will be considered in addition to other important factors such as geography, population, demographics, and setting (urban, suburban, rural). Consider these guidelines not as a checklist of “must-haves,” but rather as important principles from which we will base our judgments.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 20th, 2011 at 10:56 pm and is filed under: Urban Design.