EVALUATIONS

PITTSBURGH TODAY

There have been some criticisms of brownfield redevelopment projects in Pittsburgh. The pedestrian linkages at sites like Summerset have not been as successful as intended. The city is responding with a greater network of green paths to increase accessibility throughout older neighborhoods, new developments and future sites.

The amount of community involvement was crucial to the success of the Summerset at Frick Park and restoration of the Nine Mile Run. These efforts happened at multiple scales and provided the opportunity for community buy-in necessary to build support.

Strong leadership at the local level was essential in the start up of the brownfield redevelopment in Pittsburgh, to sustain it through additional projects, and is still key in moving forward in the next efforts. The Pittsburgh Redevelopment Authority helped provide a structure to enable projects to come to fruition.

Pittsburgh still has a long way to go. Importantly though, they have begun to turn their misfortunes into opportunity and have worked hard for some big successes. Many brownfields still remain, and the economy is still rebounding. But there are a number of new projects on the horizon, such as the Three Rivers Park that promise new ideas that address the health of the community, economy and environment.

Contemporary Pittsburgh scene at night. (Wikipedia)