https://dtplv.com/mission/
Essay Headings and Organization
1. Introduction
Introduce the case study, the city, and how the research is conducted.
2. Urban Redevelopment Areas
Describe which areas in the city that urban redevelopment has happened or is ongoing. Describe the magnitude of the redevelopment and cite the map of the project/district.
3. Urban redevelopment land use mix, and approaches
Describe how the project/district is redeveloped, the previous land use and structures, and the current or planned land use and structures. Explain the rationale of the current or proposed land use mix and structures. Include images if necessary.
4. Urban redevelopment motivations
Describe why the city wants to pursue urban redevelopment and critically review the motivation. Describe how the city reconciles between historical preservation and urban redevelopment.
5. Stakeholders involved
Describe who are/were involved in the urban redevelopment projects and the role of each stakeholder. Describe the process of public participation in the urban redevelopment process. Describe any conflicts among the stakeholders.
6. Resources
Describe how the urban redevelopment project/district is funded and the role of the public sectors and private sectors. If the project involves public-private partnerships (PPP) describe how the partnership is formed and any conflicts in the collaboration.
7. Urban redevelopment implementation and consequences
Describe how the redevelopment is implemented and the process of the redevelopment. Explain if there are intended outcomes and impacts of the redevelopment. Is there any socioeconomic improvement in the area? Is there gentrification and displacement going on and how is the displacement resolved?
8. Conclusions
9. References
The Downtown Project:
“Community development is more about the people than real estate, so physical spaces should reflect the community’s values. We’re helping to build the most community-focused large city in the world in the city where you would least expect it.”
~Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos and investor of $350 million in downtown Las Vegas
History:
Unlike many urban renewal and revitalization programs, the downtown project is not focusing on an area that is filled with crumbling or rundown buildings. Rather, they are looking to transform downtown Las Vegas into a Mecca for innovators and entrepreneurs. Their stated goal is to turn the city into a place of “Inspiration, Entrepreneurial Energy, Creativity, Innovation, Upward Mobility, and Discovery.” The method of doing this is to promote their “3C’s,” Collisions, Co-Learning, and Connectedness, between forward thinking people. They ambitiously plan on completing this transformation within five years.
Impact:
Since 2012, the Downtown Project has made an allocation of $350 million towards revitalizing Downtown Las Vegas $200 million for real estate, $50 million for education, $50 million toward small businesses, and a final $50 million for the VegasTech Fund, which aims to aid and promote tech startups. To date, over 800 jobs have been created.
That Little Bit Extra:
So far, one of the most tangible accomplishments of the Downtown Project is Container Park, repurposed shipping containers that are now restaurants and boutique shops surrounding a central plaza.
