cities growing smaller 71 (Terry Schwarz) - Cleveland Urban Design ...

Rightsize transect (David Jurca and
Gauri Torgalkar)
82 cities growing smaller
In the transect theory espoused by Andres Duany and the Congress for the New
Urbanism, well-designed cities demonstrate a gradual and measured transition from
a very dense and compact urban core to lower density urban, suburban, and eventually
rural development patterns. But in Cleveland, the transect is wonderfully (and
perhaps irreparably) unpredictable as vibrant neighborhoods and depopulated areas
co-exist side-by-side while lush, natural vegetation is emerging in the gaps between
renewal and abandonment. Cleveland’s transect embodies the idea of land use in motion,
derived from changing patterns in human settlements and the eternal cycle of
natural succession. This gives us an unprecedented opportunity to create a new kind
of city. The Cleveland of the future may have nodes of traditional urban development,
expansive prairies, and productive farms…thriving industries, suburban-style
developments, and high-functioning wetlands. As Cleveland continues to change,
surprising land use juxtapositions will occur. Throughout this process, we must
never abdicate our responsibility for good urban form, even as we begin to challenge
the meaning of the term. The key to maintaining a sense of cohesion in a complex
and ambiguous city will be to focus on the edges where disparate uses and varying
densities meet. Well-designed edges can weave together remnants of the old city and
emerging aspects of the new.
Many familiar things have disappeared from Cleveland and will not be coming
back. Now is the time to determine what will take their place. Vacant properties are
a luxury and a resource that we must learn to use more effectively. Today, vacancy
undermines the character and viability of Cleveland. Tomorrow, it can be the glue
that holds us together.