A unique opportunity to bridge parts of Houston's Fifth Ward and East end by creating a unifying development around Buffalo Bayou.
Housing strategies seek to ensure that as residential redevelopment occurs it includes a variety of housing types, remains affordable and preserves the character of the neighborhood.
Strategies aimed to support existing creative energy by providing tools that encourage entrepreneurship and the development of skills to establish strong industries and job creation.
The project partners established community liaisons in the Fifth Ward and East End, who collaborated to create a social media presence, tap into existing community events, and involve local organizations in the outreach efforts.
The primary stakeholders were the Fifth Ward Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (18), the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation, the Greater East End Management District, and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership.
Community members who were engaged throughout the planning process by Asakura Robinson and the team stressed the need to preserve the character, history, and natural amenities for existing residents. Located east of downtown Houston, Buffalo Bayou flows through the center of the study area and is bordered by declining industrial uses.
The Fifth Ward / Buffalo Bayou / East End Livable Center Plan represents a unique collaboration between neighborhoods who have not traditionally seen themselves as natural allies.
The project’s strong public engagement component utilized a consensus building approach to build connections between residents across languages and cultures. The plan framework creates interdependent improvement opportunities meant to leverage public, private and non-profit investments towards a desired community vision, and gives the community a voice in how the major redevelopment of industrial land will benefit the community’s quality of life.
View the final report here.