A walk down Fernandina Beach's Egans Creek Greenway

February 4, 2021 | Bill Delaney

environment

Featuring 300 acres of protected land and 5.6 miles of trails, the Egans Creek Greenway is a natural jewel right in the middle of Fernandina Beach.

Sights and Scenes: Orlando's Parramore

February 1, 2021 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

To kick off Black History Month, Modern Cities and The Jaxson takes a look at the sights and scenes of a historic Central Florida walkable African-American neighborhood: Orlando's Parramore.

Ocala's Historic Downtown Square

January 29, 2021 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

The Jaxson takes a walk through Ocala's Downtown Square, a district that is home to one of the largest concentration of 19th century commercial buildings in Florida.

Timucuan Preserve: A walk through Willie Browne's woods

January 22, 2021 | Bill Delaney

environment

When he passed away 50 years ago last month, Willie Browne left Jacksonville one of the greatest gifts in city history: his family's 600 acres of wild, historically significant land....

The Sugar Hill that still survives

January 20, 2021 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

Largely razed as a result of mid-20th century discriminatory practices, Sugar Hill was Jim Crow era Black Jacksonville's version of middle class inner city living.

Ghost Town: Yukon, Florida

October 30, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

Presently the site of Jacksonville's Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, this land was once home to a vibrant community called Yukon.

Exploring St. Augustine's Fish Island

October 22, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

Recently organized by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, here is a digital walking tour and brief historical narrative of Florida's first orange grove plantation: St. Augustine's Fish Island

Changing Demographics: Englewood

October 8, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

The Jaxson explores one of the Southside's most diverse neighborhoods: Englewood.

Planning for Equity & Underrepresented Communities

September 21, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

A historical timeline of the rise of Jacksonville's historic Black communities and how the field of planning has played an institutional role in their destruction.

Sights and Scenes: Boone Park

September 7, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

Straddling Little Fishweir Creek, Boone Park is a 28-acre park located within the Riverside/Avondale Historic District.

Secret Jacksonville: Bulls Bay Preserve and Waterfall

August 12, 2020 | Bill Delaney

environment

A little known nature preserve on Jacksonville’s Westside is home to a hidden natural treasure: one of Florida’s rare waterfalls. It’s also the source of two significant creeks and has...

Walking the Racial Equity Walk

August 5, 2020 | Editorial by Desiree D. Powell, MCRP

environment

A guest editorial by Desiree D. Powell, MCRP about the role the planning profession has played in the disenfranchisement of marginalized communities. Powell is an urban planner focusing on placemaking...

Ten examples of Mid Century Modern in Jacksonville

August 3, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

An architectural movement that peaked during the 1960s, Mid-century modern (MCM) has increased in popularity within the preservation world in recent years. An American reflection of the International and Bauhaus...

Riverfront Parks Now for Jacksonville

July 31, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

All great cities have great parks. A new citizen-led initiative consisting of representatives from various non-profit organizations including Scenic Jacksonville, the Late Bloomers Garden Club, The Garden Club of Jacksonville,...

A virtual tour of the new St. Pete Pier

July 20, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

environment

Planned as a destination for everyone, the recently opened St. Pete Pier has instantly become one of Florida's premier urban waterfront public spaces. Constructed at the cost of $92 million,...

Jacksonville's hidden urban creeks - McCoys Creek

June 29, 2020 | Article by Scott Gann

Wouldn’t it be great to explore the wilderness a stone’s throw from the center of one of the biggest cities in Florida? It’s possible, but you have to embrace a...

Jacksonville's hidden urban creeks - Hogans Creek

June 24, 2020 | Article by Scott Gann

Where can you find a manatee, shopping carts, tons of bridges, 1926 architecture, the smell of fresh coffee, and a dead alligator? What if I told you I found all...

It's Time to Celebrate Juneteenth

June 22, 2020 | Guest Editorial by Zuri Davis

It's Time to Celebrate Juneteenth, America's Other Independence Day. Though Juneteenth is first and foremost a celebration of the end of slavery, the day has evolved in the 21st century....

Exploring Jacksonville's Ribault Scenic Drive

April 15, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

During the late 1960s, Ribault Scenic Drive was once called the new, sweeter Sugar Hill. In 2017, it was among the areas of the city most impacted by Hurricane Irma....

Urban Trails: San Antonio's Mission Reach

March 18, 2020 | Ennis Davis, AICP

Modern Cities takes a look at a popular urban trail system in Texas: San Antonio's Mission Reach

Florida's Santa Fe River From 400 Feet

November 15, 2019 | Erik Hamilton

Fed by dozens of springs and running through several public parks and privately owned campgrounds, the Santa Fe River and its watershed make up one of Florida's greatest natural attractions....

Visions of Vibrancy: London's Soho

October 7, 2019 | Ennis Davis, AICP

The vibrancy of cities comes in all shapes and sizes. Many believe that what works in internationally known cosmopolitan settings may not be applicable for cities in America that have...

Ghost Towns of Duval County: Greenland

September 30, 2019 | Ennis Davis, AICP

The Jaxson explores the remains of one of Jacksonville's forgotten ghost towns: Greenland

Orlando Unveils Under I Project

September 21, 2019 | Ennis Davis, AICP

Who says the widening of an interstate through the heart of a community has to be viewed as a negative? Orlando's proposed 9.75-acre Under I project sets the precedent on...

City of the Dead: Père Lachaise Cemetery

July 4, 2019 | Ennis Davis, AICP

Dating back to 1804, Père Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris, France and the most visited cemetery in the world with more than 3.5 million visitors annually.

Vibrant Urban Waterfronts: London

July 2, 2019 | Ennis Davis, AICP

The Jaxson Magazine takes a visual walk through one of the world's most vibrant urban waterfronts: London's River Thames

Inside's Jacksonville's Abandoned Pinehurst Cemetery

April 9, 2019 | Ennis Davis, AICP

A walk through one of Jacksonville's long forgotten and abandoned early 20th century African-American cemeteries: Pinehurst

Unique Urbanity: Chicago's Pilsen

January 30, 2019 | Ennis Davis, AICP

Pilsen is a neighborhood of Chicago located on the Lower West Side of the city. Historically a first-stop neighborhood for American immigrants, following the Great Fire of 1871, Pilsen was...

Remembering Black Savannah's West Broad Street Corridor

December 24, 2018 | Ennis Davis, AICP

During recent decades, Savannah has become internationally known for its revitalized historic district. Attracting millions of tourist a year, most don't know that Savannah is a majority African-American community. With...

Built to Flood: Houston's Buffalo Bayou Walk

December 18, 2018 | Ennis Davis, AICP

As the City of Jacksonville and Groundwork Jacksonville embark on a long dreamed plan to build greenways along McCoys and Hogans Creeks, Houston's Buffalo Bayou Park Trail is one worth...

Before & After: Memphis' South Main Historic District

December 6, 2018 | Ennis Davis, AICP

Modern Cities takes a before and after look at the transformation of Memphis' South Main Historic District from a declining industrial district into a trendy pedestrian friendly urban neighborhood.

Exploring Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District

September 4, 2018 | Ennis Davis

Modern Cities takes a look at the rebirth of what was once called the richest African-American street in the world: Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District

A Summer Evening on the Chicago River

August 27, 2018 | Ennis Davis

With evening temperatures in the 70's, Chicago's riverwalk has become one of the most popular places to be in summertime.

Why You Should Be Jealous of this Gorgeous Alley

August 2, 2018 | Melissa Hege, AICP

Melissa Hege, AICP of South Florida-based Melissa Hege City Planning LLC. explains why you should be jealous of this Miami Design District alley.

A River Runs Through It: NYC's Hudson River Park

June 24, 2018 | Ennis Davis

You don't need Brad Pitt to make this river shine: South Florida urban planner Melissa Hege takes a tour of New York's Hudson River Park, 4-miles of waterfront park perfection....

Before and After: Tallahassee's Gaines Street

June 3, 2018 | Ennis Davis

It can be argued that the revitalization of Gaines Street has been one of the most rapid corridor transformations in recent Florida history.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: The New Urban Crisis

May 29, 2018 | Ennis Davis

Melissa Hege of South Florida-based Melissa Hege City Planning highlights Miami's new urban crisis.

Two Simple Sentences Could Reshape Suburban America

May 10, 2018 | Mike Field

An obscure ordinance published by the Department of Commerce in 1928 has had arguably the largest affect on how U.S. cities are developed. But a new, simple, two-sentence subdivision ordinance...

Exploring White Oak Conservation

May 6, 2018 | Ennis Davis

Located on the banks of the St. Marys River in Nassau County, White Oak Conservation is an internationally known premiere wildlife conservation facility 30 miles north of Jacksonville. The facility,...

Exploring White Oak Conservation

April 30, 2018 | Ennis Davis

Located on the banks of the St. Marys River in Nassau County, White Oak Conservation is an internationally known premiere wildlife conservation facility 30 miles north of Jacksonville. The facility,...

Could Savannah Lose Historic District Designation?

April 12, 2018 | Mike Field

The National Park Service (NPS) recently commissioned a study to assess the integrity and condition of the Savannah National Historic Landmark District. That report recommends the district be categorized as...

Tampa's Waterfront To Feature Shipping Container Park

April 10, 2018 | Mike Field

A new food-based destination is popping up on the Tampa Riverwalk.

Off the beaten path: Kraft Azalea Garden

March 30, 2018 | Ennis Davis

Located off the beaten path, Kraft Azalea Garden is the type of public space that the average visitor to Central Florida may not realize exists. Located on the shore of...

Rehabilitating Suburbia: Maitland

February 25, 2018 | Ennis Davis

It's one thing to talk about turning a suburban area into a walkable district. It's another thing to see the transformation actually happening. Here's a look at what's currently taking...

The Invisible Hand That Designed Your City

February 13, 2018 | Mike Field

Years of subtle changes to land use and zoning have slowly become the invisible forces that shape our behavior, whether we realize it or not.

Curbs Have The Power To Transform Cities

February 9, 2018 | Mike Field

Don’t curb your enthusiasm. Curbsides– yes, curbs – have the power to transform cities.

Demand For Higher Density Development Slowing Down

February 8, 2018 | Mike Field

Will 2018 signal the end of the latest real estate cycle?

Getting rid of one-way streets won't fix DT's problems

January 19, 2018 | Ennis Davis

Jacksonville has a history of implementing simple concepts poorly in its quest to revitalize downtown. In the rush to convert downtown’s one-way streets into two-ways, Jacksonville needs to avoid the...

Exploring Central Florida: Winter Garden

December 28, 2017 | Ennis Davis

Central Florida is internationally known for Mickey Mouse and its grand assortment of theme parks. However, if you're willing to travel off the beaten path and explore, you'll discover the...

Charleston: America's most rapidly gentrifying city

December 18, 2017 | Ennis Davis

Ever wonder what a rapid gentrification process resembles? Look no further than Charleston, South Carolina.

South Shores: A historic neighborhood near its end?

November 26, 2017 | Ennis Davis

Just outside downtown Jacksonville, a historic neighborhood's days may be coming to an end, due to the impact of flooding and sea level rise.

Can You Believe What They Did With Shipping Containers?

November 22, 2017 | Mike Field

The shipping container: an incredible tool to revitalize neighborhoods and urban centers.

5 Disastrous Urban Renewal Failures

October 19, 2017 | Ennis Davis

While urban renewal was primarily a mid-20th century phenomenon that decimated the cores of America's cities, here's a few disastrous failures that have occurred over the last 30 years.

Brickell City Centre: The Mall of the Future?

October 17, 2017 | Ennis Davis

If you believe malls are going away, it may be time to reconsider that opinion. Here's a mall designed with 21st century consumer trends in mind.

Coastal Carolina: Our Irma Retreat

October 2, 2017 | Ennis Davis

Hurricane Irma resulted in millions of Floridians fleeing the state. Here's a look into a trip to South Carolina's low country by Melissa Hege, AICP of South Florida-based Melissa Hege...

Five ways to make a suburb more walkable

September 27, 2017 | Ennis Davis

Rob Steuteville, Editor-in-Chief of the Build a Better Burb, highlights the striking transformation of South Miami into a vibrant pedestrian friendly district, while identifying five revitalization concepts that may be...

Atlanta Creates A Better Zoning Sign

September 6, 2017 | Mike Field

Seeking to create more clarity and public engagement on planning and zoning matters, the Atlanta Department of City Planning teamed up with the branding firm Matchstic to redesign the often...

Walkable Florida: Winter Park

September 5, 2017 | Ennis Davis

Central Florida isn't nationally known for being walkable and multimodal friendly. However, that doesn't mean that vibrant pockets of walkability don't exist. Just one commuter rail stop north of Downtown...

Before and After: Clay County Suburbia

August 20, 2017 | Ennis Davis

When I-295 opened in 1970, Clay County was home to 32,059 residents. Today, an estimated 208,311 reside in the rapidly growing county just outside of Jacksonville. Here's a visual before...

Millennials Prefer Revitalized Historic Areas Not Malls

July 20, 2017 | Mike Field

Are millennials the key to preservation? A new survey finds that millennials prefer to live, work and play in neighborhoods with historic buildings.

A Floating Food Forest In New York City

June 28, 2017 | Mike Field

New York's 'barge-to-table' floating farm gives city residents without access to farmland the opportunity to pick their own food.

Cedar Key: The Story of What Could Have Been

June 21, 2017 | Ennis Davis

A look at a small coastal Florida fishing village that was once a major 19th century shipping port and railroad terminus: Cedar Key

Three solutions to turn around aging urban districts

May 17, 2017 | Ennis Davis

Modern Cities shares a Spring 2017 presentation by Ennis Davis, AICP to the board of City Beautiful Jax, highlighting a few cost effective options for stimulating market rate economic development...

Norfolk: A city that's definitely growing again!

April 12, 2017 | Ennis Davis

37 photographs and captions illustrating the 21st century renaissance of Norfolk, Virginia.

How to Get By-Right Zoning Right

March 23, 2017 | Mike Field

By-Right Zoning seen as a critical strategy to help solve the affordable housing crisis, offering a streamlined approval process for developers. However, By-Right Zoning also acts as a better way...

Massive privately funded park underway in Lakeland

March 15, 2017 | Ennis Davis

By 2020, an abandoned railyard on the edge of downtown Lakeland will be transformed into a 160-acre urban green oasis by a group of local philanthropists.

Infrastructure as Permaculture

February 16, 2017 | Mike Field

Can our paved grid of roads and sidewalks evolve into an ecology of functions that benefit both residents and the environment?

The (Place) Doctor Will See You Now

February 9, 2017 | Mike Field

How a small town in Oregon used a data-driven, analytical approach towards putting policies in place to increase their economic and environmental resiliency.

Gentrification: A perspective from a long time resident

January 25, 2017 | Ennis Davis

This article by Dr. Tim Gilmore of jaxpsychogeo.com explores the redevelopment of Jacksonville's Brooklyn neighborhood from the perspective of long time resident Les Paul Garner.

Gainesville Turns Abandoned Industrial Hub Into Park

January 16, 2017 | Mike Field

Gainesville turns contaminated land into a contemporary public greenspace to serve as the city's “Central Park'.

From Parking Lot To World-Class Public Space In Tulsa

December 12, 2016 | Mike Field

The George Kaiser Family Foundation shares the story of Guthrie Green: an amazing transformation of a contaminated truck loading facility in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma into a vibrant urban park that...

5 Resources for Ending Parking Minimums

December 4, 2016 | Mike Field

Whether you're a city staffer, nonprofit leader or just a strong citizen who cares, there's something you can do to advocate for an end to parking minimums in your town....

New Urbanism 15 years later: The aging of Baldwin Park

November 28, 2016 | Ennis Davis

Faced with the reality of its Navy base being closed for good, the City of Orlando utilized the bad news as an opportunity to create an infill 1,100-acre new urbanist...

Charlotte: An emerging walkable modern-day megalopolis

October 24, 2016 | Ennis Davis

Named in honor of German princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and incorporated in 1768, Charlotte is a city that has undergone dramatic change over the last decade.

Is your HBCU still relevant in the 21st century?

September 28, 2016 | Ennis Davis

An editorial by Britney Broussard that questions if African American students who now have the choice of going to college would choose a Historically Black College or not. And if...

Did This Quiet Colorado Town Invent Parklets?

September 14, 2016 | Mike Field

Eyeing Urban Waterfronts on Foot: The Chicago Riverwalk

September 6, 2016 | Ennis Davis

Serving as a part of a network of waterways linking the Great Lakes with the Mississippi Valley, Chicago owes its existence to the Chicago River.

New York Pioneers Asphalt Art

July 23, 2016 | Mike Field

DOT Art leads the way in demonstrating successful asphalt activation strategies using public art.

Miami's Extraordinary Wynwood Arts District

July 10, 2016 | Ennis Davis

A few miles north of downtown Miami, Wynwood is one of the largest open-air street art installations in the world. Here's a brief summary and photo tour of the district's...

Exploring Lake Tahoe

June 10, 2016 | Ennis Davis

Article by Kristen Pickrell

Public Art Combines With Conservationism

May 2, 2016 | Mike Field

Stormwater drains are one of the most overlooked public landmarks, but the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has a plan to bring attention to them in a...

Tactical Urbanism Leading To Long Term Changes In Indy

March 9, 2016 | Mike Field

Article by Michael Field