Downtown Raleigh

Location: Raleigh, NC
Status: 2013-2014
Client: City of Raleigh & Downtown Raleigh Alliance
Collaborators: Work completed while at Sasaki as Engagement Lead and Project Urban Designer
Impact Areas: Spaces and Places of Belonging

A strategic public realm framework, identifying sites and programs for improved connections and key catalytic projects.

Raleigh’s Downtown Plan will help the city capitalize on its recent and projected growth to remain competitive regionally and nationally through improvements to the city’s “downtown experience” for residences, workers, students, and visitors. The Plan focuses future investment to incest and direct growth; creates a balance of residential and office development downtown; protects historic and district character; and creates an authentic sense of place. The Downtown Plan identifies and analyzes public realm, infrastructure, connectivity improvements, and future development. A top priority is to establish clear, achievable, and community- supported action items that can catalyze the continued transformation of Raleigh’s city center over the next 10 years.

The plan includes a series of five catalytic projects that will help bridge downtown’s districts; bring new street life, retail, and anchor developments; renew and expand green space; and add new cultural and community uses. At the same time, this plan also seeks to create the “glue” that will bind these exciting projects together and yield a richer downtown experience. Four big themes—Breathe, Move, Stay, and Link—knit it all together, showing how to bring nature to the city, provide transportation choices, create places to linger and savor, and cultivate the partnerships necessary to make it all happen. Together, these recommendations will shape the next phase of Downtown Raleigh’s evolution into a nationally competitive downtown that fosters innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship while remaining authentic.