The City of Jacksonville, in partnership with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and Downtown Vision, Inc., sought to use the arts as a real estate development catalyst to revitalize the historic downtown.

The students explored: 

·       If a downtown of over 20 city-owned vacant buildings and numerous privately-owned structures can be transformed through arts-related redevelopment  

The Mission Hill Main Streets district was struggling to capitalize on excellent accessibility to surrounding Boston resident neighborhoods and the Longwood Medical Area (LMS) – home to one of the largest employment centers in the region.  Negative perceptions of the district, a small geographic presence, and increasing use of ground floor space for overflow medical offices and administrative space continually put merchants at a disadvantage in their efforts to increase visibility and customer base. 

The Roslindale Village Main Streets organization wished to understand how its strategy should shift within the neighborhood context of new businesses, a stable population base, and rising incomes. Truly a village, Roslindale Main Streets wished to continue its growth and prosperity without sacrificing its successes. 

The students explored:

Once a vibrant commercial corridor known for its furniture stores, seafood market and social clubs, the district struggled to come back after Hurricane Katrina.  The St. Claude Main Streets organization sought help in meeting a number of challenges. 

The students explored:

·       How four communities—St. Roch, Marigny, St. Claude and Bywater— can come together to envision a commercial corridor that serves the needs of all residents

The Boston Redevelopment Authority sought to understand the market forces at work, and the needs and concerns of non-profits that had the potential to invigorate the waterfront with public uses, programming, and Boston Harbor connections, but that were not occupying prime Harborwalk spaces.  Facilities of Public Accommodation (FPAs) are public uses (restaurants, performance areas, hotels, retail, educational and cultural institutions) required under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Waterways Regulations (Chapter 91) for new or redevelopment projects.  In the coming years

Hyde/Jackson Square Main Streets is a vibrant, diverse commercial and residential district facing many changes.  New commercial and residential development and rapidly changing demographics resulting in residential and commercial gentrification have presented numerous challenges for the community.  In addition, the length of the district, with two distinct “squares” creates a disjointed image with little cohesive qualities.

The students explored:

A group of civic-minded residents teamed with the City of Concord to address coming challenges including projected population expansion of 8000 residents in 20 years, the proposed widening of I-93, a planned Manchester Airport expansion, increasing concern over the preservation of open space, and the creation of urban growth boundaries within the city.  Vision 20/20 for Concord, NH was the result of a major planning grant from the Federal Highway Administration.

The students explored:

The City of Worcester, in partnership with ArtsWorcester and the Arts District Task Force, sought to create an urban design and economic development road map for the revitalization of a half-mile stretch of Main Street between the civic center and Clark University. 

The students explored:

·       How a master plan can create a new arts district and provide a home for artists and cultural activities

The Civic Data Design Lab works with data to understand it for Public Good. We seek to develop alternative practices which can make the work we do with data and images richer, smarter, more relevant, and more responsive to the needs and interested of citizens traditionally on the margins of policy development.