URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS

from The work of Urban Design Associates

DOWNTOWNS

In 1964, American urban neighborhoods were not only in decline, but headed to extinction. UDA founders felt that cities and neighborhoods were worth saving. This critical thinking was as critical then as it is today.

UDA has a long history of projects that have produced attractive, cohesive, and econom- ically successful traditional mixed-income neighborhoods in highly challenging urban environments. Our work on these types of projects are broad and far reaching. We listen, we analyze, and we think critically. In the end, we use design to solve problems. No neighborhood looks the same, so our projects and our work doesn’t either. On the following pages, you will find:

The New Faubourg Lafitte: A new New Orleans neighborhood that replaced a housing project that was destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. First Ward: An entirely new mixed-income neighborhood comprising nearly a quarter of Charlotte’s Uptown. Orleans Landing: A new mixed-income, mixed-use neighborhood on Detroit’s waterfront.

THE NEW FAUBOURG LAFITTE

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Rebuilding public housing in the traditions of New Orleans

In late 2006, New Orleans was in a housing crisis in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As a result of the hurricane, the large and outdated Lafitte Public Housing Complex needed to be rebuilt. UDA was tapped to orchestrate a public process, resulting in the goal of rebuilding Lafitte in the tradition of New Orleans — thereby removing the stigma of living in a “project” and creating something that adds to the character of the neighborhood.

UDA’s process-driven master plan and architecture, based on typologies and styles prevalent in the surrounding neighborhoods, respects the history and culture of the community.

Client

Enterprise Community Partners

Team

Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, LaQuatra Bonci Associates Michael Willis Architects, Nicole Swerhun, Schrenk & Peterson

Awards

CNU Charter Award, 2012

FIRST WARD

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Transforming a public housing project into a new uptown neighborhood

In 1994, Charlotte was catching on as a new center for regional growth. With an outdated public housing project impeding the growth of Uptown Charlotte and its development poten- tial, Bank of America CDC approached UDA in the mid-nineties with the task of creating a new neighborhood that worked for everyone. What followed was a remarkable public/private city building initiative to create a master plan and development strategy for one of the four quadrants comprising Charlotte’s Center City.

UDA worked with the city’s Uptown Part- nership, Bank of America, city officials, and citizens in a series of public forums and work- shops to develop a bold plan and chart a re-in- vestment initiative for the First Ward strategy. The culminating vision included light rail transit, new retail, and recreation and educa- tion facilities supporting a series of residential precincts. Today, it’s one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Queen City.

Client

Bank of America

Team

Glatting Jackson, Zimmerman/Volk Associates

Awards

ULI Award of Excellence, 2004

ORLEANS LANDING

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Creating a new neighborhood to heal the city

In 2015, there were no new projects outside of Detroit’s urban core. The vacant industrial riverfront was a great place to start. UDA was commissioned for master planning and architecture for a new neighborhood offering contemporary market-rate and affordable housing. In addition to guiding a client/stake- holder process in creating an implementation plan for the site uses, layouts, streets, and process spaces, UDA also designed architecture that maintained the tradition of the local character.

The urban and architectural design grew dis- tinctly from the historical and cultural assets of the East Riverfront, and the resulting mer- cantile and industrial elements have differ- entiated Orleans Landing as both special and unique in the region. UDA also produced an Implementation Plan to guide the repurposing and redevelopment of the targeted parcels and served as the lead in master planning, architectural design, and architectural illustration for Phase I.