Document Type
Professional Plan Capstone
Original Publication Date
2024
Client
City of Hopewell; Planning & Development, Economic Development and Tourism
Location
Hopewell, Virginia
Date of Submission
May 2024
Abstract
Urban planners as practitioners work to create a more progressive future while simultaneously redressing the past. This tension is found in many cities, including the City of Hopewell, Virginia where city planners, managers, economic developers work passionately for positive change. In Hopewell, there has been almost no population growth since 1970 and existing health outcomes are alarming. In every determinant of health category (medical, psychological, or social), this city falls below the state and national average. This health-based urban design and planning intervention capstone challenges the status quo by flipping the paradigm and placing the health of all residents first making the claim that in doing so will yield positive growth outcomes in population, education, and economics. How? This plan prioritizes residents by identifying opportunities where urban design and planning interventions will maximize harmony, vitality, and wellness. Drawing from the iconic Kevin Lynch’s, The Image of the City (Lynch, 1960), this plan was informed by the five key elements of a city: a landmark, path, edge, node, and district. This goal was accomplished by unifying the visual identification of three major foci including the Big H, Route 10, and TriCities Hospital including the riparian corridor, that lie within a more expansive district boundary. The methodology includes qualitative and quantitative data gathered from the respondents during in-depth interviews and a charrette. Informed by the methodology, the recommendations provided are in alignment with the design elements of a city and acting in tandem with three main themes of harmony, vitality, and wellness.
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© The Author
Is Part Of
Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects