The Urban Land Institute Conference is a real-time idea lab for urban planners of all stripes. This year’s fall conference in Dallas provided the usual dose of inspiration for bold, game-changing projects that can catalyze a city’s functionality, identity, and vitality. Read on for more insights.

Placemaking that connects neighborhoods. “Everything’s bigger in Texas!” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Dallas─Fort Worth metroplex is one of the fastest growing metros in the nation, reaching a population of more than 7.1 million. By leveraging the vitality of burgeoning neighborhoods, transformational projects have the power to knit communities together. For example, in uptown Dallas, Klyde Warren Park, which opened in October 2012, has become a crown jewel and the epitome of a public-private project. The City of Dallas, the Texas Department of Transportation, and a non-profit foundation, Woodall Rogers Park Foundation (WRPF), were able to pool together $110 million in funding to construct the 5-acre deck park that was built over a 200-foot wide, eight-lane section of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The park connects the vibrant Uptown borough with the Dallas Arts District and downtown.

Designed by world renowned landscape architect James Burnett, the park provides shared public green space and hosts daily free programming for the public. A one-acre concert lawn and pavilion stage hosts major events, performances, and movies. And, that’s not all. Yoga, a lecture series, badminton, outdoor reading rooms, a children’s park, and botanical gardens can all be enjoyed at the park. You won’t find any fixed benches at this park ─ light moveable chairs and tables foster and build community interactions ─ a take from the late American urbanist William H. Whyte who worked closely on the redesign of Bryant Park in New York City.

The City of Dallas owns the park, but under a development agreement, WRPF operates and maintains the park without the City having to put up a single dollar. It hasa legion of volunteers and raises funds through donations and sponsors, reaching a healthy $60 million raised within the first three years. The park is a catalyst for the ongoing transformation of downtown Dallas. This engineering and design feat has created green space “out of thin air” and its accessible design offers a unique and unforgettable destination for generations to come.

Placemaking that creates an identity. This case study comes from Colorado where the most prominent Mile High City icon has taken on the unusual form of a 40-foot tall big blue bear known as “I see what you mean.” No, it’s not Disneyland ─ just a curious towering 10,000-pound blue bear peering through the glass wall of the Denver Convention Center. The Denver Public Art program commissioned the artwork from local designer Lawrence Argent to complement its picturesque mountain backdrop amid a vibrant downtown. Interestingly enough, the blue color was a serendipitous error as the original colors chosen by the artist for a 3D model went awry. It has become notably iconic for the convention center and the City itself. It worked so well for Denver-ites, that Californians got their own Argent creation with a recently installed 56-foot tall giant red rabbit at the Sacramento International Airport.

For urban adventurers, here are a few more places to check out during your travels:

  • Arizona State University in Phoenix has moved four of its colleges from Tempe to Downtown Phoenix, transforming the area into an inviting civic realm with shared facilities. The move was made possible by $11 million from the state and a $200 million bond passed by voters.
  • Downtown Pittsburgh has reinvented itself to create a strong identity and brand. The reuse and reinvention of “Market Square” at Downtown’s crossroads has made it a vibrant hub of activity. Students, office workers, and visitors fill up the square, particularly during lunchtime.
  • “Slow Roll, Detroit” in Michigan shows how to build community through bikes. These weekly rides began with two people, and now attract thousands to rediscover Detroit’s history and culture, spurring local economic growth with riders frequenting the community’s restaurants and shops.