#urban-revitalization

#urban-revitalization

Our cities are full of grey tower blocks built for efficiency rather than aesthetics. Public benches are made of cheap concrete, pavements are falling apart, old structures are left derelict. Amid this backdrop of unloved, muted ugliness, a new wave of guerrilla mosaicists are enlivening their cities with beautiful, colourful designs. These artists rarely get official sign-off for their work.

Having recently passed the midpoint of a defining decade, we're just becoming aware of The Great Reordering's cascading collective traumas. The retail experience transitioned from shopping bags to cardboard boxes. Campuses with movie nights, lecture series, gyms and celebrity chefs were swallowed by Zoom meetings. Empty offices hollowed our cities and flattened urban social culture. Countervailing dynamics inevitably come into play, and the oversupply of commercial space has one silver lining.

The year 2026 is going to be a momentous one for the United States as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. Across the country, national parks, historic sites, and cities will gear up to show up-and show off-in ways big and small. Against this backdrop, how does one pick where to visit? Inevitably, we were led by some nostalgia: Route 66, for instance, was an easy one.

designboom visits Japan's inaugural Hiroshima International Architecture Festival 2025, which runs from October 4 to November 30 across the twin cities of Fukuyama and Onomichi. Conceived as a triennial event by the Kambara-Tsuneishi Cultural Foundation, the festival invites 23 architects and artists from Japan and abroad to explore the future of cities and the role of architecture in revitalizing local communities through a series of exhibitions, site-specific installations, and talks.

Emerging from the NQRW train at 14th Street, Union Square presents a smorgasbord for the senses. The smell of patchouli sold by street vendors, the stoic silence of people playing chess, the "good luck" and "bad luck" spots drawn in chalk on the sidewalk to navigate. This slice of Manhattan where midtown turns into downtown has been an important area to New Yorkers for decades-and these days, it's one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the city.

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works through strategically placed needles that trigger healing throughout the entire body. Urban planner Jaime Lerner's concept around targeted architectural interventions find success in China as well as neighboring countries in Asia, where localities are revitalized through simple interventions. Libraries, specifically, are bringing in social, cultural, and economic transformation to the continent. Necessity drives innovation. Rapid urbanization, limited public funding, and diverse geographic and cultural contexts have forced architects and communities to think beyond traditional library models.

"It became obvious with our partners that the level of business was not sustainable," Levine told San José Spotlight. "We tried multiple pivots over the last nine months in terms of dining room layout, menus, etc. and just didn't find a formula that connected with guests."

"The House of Culture and Governance in Delfzijl will bring together a theater, library, and town hall under one roof, conceived to respond directly to its urban context."

The health of high streets across the country has varied significantly, with areas like Bradford, Newport, and Blackpool showing double the empty shops compared to London.

The new Sunset Place will consist of seven towers ranging from 12 to 33 stories, including 1,513 residences, a 287-room hotel and a 1,300-seat movie theater.

I'm delighted to announce the first of many new al fresco hotspots across the capital to help Londoners and visitors make the most of our summer this year.

Saeed Taraky, now Erie's refugee and immigrant liaison, supports newcomers with gifts and coordination to foster their integration and prosperity in a once-struggling city.

Old, neglected piers and decaying warehouses along New York City's waterfront have been revitalized, offering cultural and recreational spaces that connect residents to their coastline.

The funding will support six projects aimed at revitalizing the roughly 33-block neighborhood at the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.

The project revitalizes public life in Jalpa de Méndez by transforming and improving key public spaces, fostering community interaction and local economic development.

The transformation of Yancheng's railway station platform into a municipal park showcases a revolutionary approach, preserving the area's historical structures while integrating modern functions.