Aaron Renn recently explored Columbus, Ohio, where he found a city fueled by growth and doing many things right, but lacking the differentiation it merits among the country's urban marketplaces.
"Columbus is basically what I mean by the 'best practices,' city – they are implementing all the best practices in the marketplace, but haven’t yet developed a compelling, unique brand positioning," writes Aaron Renn.
Renn takes the reader through a neighborhood-by-neighborhood presentation of the development events around Columbus—examining neighborhoods like Short North, Grandview Heights, Easton Town Center, and a neighborhood attracting a lot of buzz called Franklinton. Renn also discusses familiar urban themes like bike and car share, river restoration, and downtown green space.
On that last point, and in the article's harshest criticism, Renn revisits the site of the now demolished City Center Mall, which has been converted into a park called the Columbus Commons. Renn uses the park to make a point about the lack of thought devoted to the creation of green space in many cities. Renn says, is an example of "build it and they will come" planning due to a lack of surrounding density in residential and commercial properties.
FULL STORY: Checking In On Columbus
A Showdown Looms as Developers Seek New Building Heights in Columbus
The region surrounding Columbus, Ohio could add a projected one million people by 2050, and developers are looking for new ways to meet growing demand for urban living.
Columbus, Ohio's High-Frequency Transit Future Up for Vote in November
Despite being the nation’s 14th largest city, Columbus, Ohio has no high-capacity transit. That could change this November as city officials put a levy before voters that would provide $6.2 billion by 2050 to fund an ambitious bus rapid transit system.
It’s Unanimous: Columbus Approves Density-Friendly Zoning Changes
Columbus has approved six zoning code amendments, which include height limit increases from three stories to 16 and eliminate parking requirements for large developments in 12,300 parcels along major transportation corridors.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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