Cleveland Flats Connection Plan recognized with 2019 ASLA Professional Honor Award – Analysis & Planning

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The Flats Connections Plan is an open space and trail network that leverages the unique conditions of the neighborhood to revitalize the riverfront and connect it to surrounding communities and to the region. Part of a rich industrial history, the Plan also looks to the present and future, working with neighbors, local organizations, and city officials to incorporate their values and concerns into a vision for the future of the Flats.

“The extremely thorough and coherent Flats Connections Plan creates an open space and trail network in Cleveland that leverages the unique conditions of its historically industrial neighborhood to revitalize the riverfront and build connections to surrounding communities. The plan functions at a multiplicity of urban scales, and draws on underutilized and vacant sites to invigorate the riverfront, improve sustainability, and allow access to park space for previously isolated communities. The plan transforms slag heaps, rail infrastructure, and challenging topography into a dynamic public realm rooted in equity, connectivity, and resilience.”

– 2019 Awards Jury

People

Ideas

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Democratic Public Space

ideas

In ancient Greek cities, the agora brought people together in the same space for daily life, including commerce, politics, and social interaction. This was at a time when the European idea of democracy, or “people power” was conceived. There is a direct relationship between people sharing space with one another and caring about one another. Inclusive public space that brings together diverse people from all walks of life is more important than ever for sustaining democracy.

Places

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Cleveland Flats Connections Plan

parks/public space

The Flats Connections Plan is an open space and trail network that leverages the unique conditions of Flats neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, revitalizes its riverfront, and connects to surrounding communities and the region. The Plan interprets the rich cultural and industrial histories of the neighborhood’s diverse communities, catalyzes ecological stewardship, improves water quality, and transforms barriers for equitable access.