Journal of Engineering and Architecture

The Key Factors of Success for Curating Main Streets
Michael W. Mehaffy, Tigran Haas

Abstract
The United Nations‟ “New Urban Agenda” includes an emphasis on main streets as public spaces and generators of economic opportunities for all. What are the barriers to implementing such successful, diverse main streets today -- and how can planning and design overcome them, engaging with other sectors to achieve success? How can main streets be “curated” as part of a broader strategy of polycentric governance -- neither “letting the markets decide,” nor seeking unsatisfactory “command and control” of desired results by government agencies? We examine a case study from Portland, Oregon, offering encouraging successes as well as lessons learned. We conclude with proposed next steps.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jea.v7n2a2