City of Pittsburgh, Department of City Planning

The EcoInnovation District is a groundbreaking solution to disinvestment in the long-overlooked area between downtown Pittsburgh and the “eds and meds” Oakland neighborhood.  The plan focuses on social equity, establishing a “Main Street”, reusing underutilized spaces, creating an open space network, and planning for the infrastructure of tomorrow.  Public participation included a block party, surveys, focus groups, and engaging the big institutions.  It also included meeting long-timers in their backyards and engaging organizations serving hard-to-reach populations.  Results are already visible including private investment, a public art program, a slow-streets program, green infrastructure, and a new performance-based zoning code. (More information in resource library)