Greenways along a city’s river can connect neighborhoods, anchor downtown parks and public space, and spur real estate and economic development. This panel will look at successful examples in Houston, TX and Greensboro, NC that are now focusing on underinvested neighborhoods and using broad, inclusive engagement techniques.
Buffalo Bayou East is an urban redevelopment project led by Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) with the goal of reconnecting neighborhoods along Buffalo Bayou east of downtown to the water and to each other. Building upon its legacy of creating and stewarding unique parks, trails, and cultural spaces along a 10-mile stretch of the city’s most significant natural waterway, including Buffalo Bayou Park and within downtown Houston, BBP is now working to provide new public spaces and networks in neighborhoods that have experienced historic underinvestment. Driven by extensive community engagement and four core principles – Authentic, Connected, Inclusive, and Resilient – the Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan improves upon existing parks and trailways, repurposes relics of the area’s industrial history, and envisions new landscapes and destinations that reflect the culture and character of the Greater East End and Fifth Ward.
The Greensboro Downtown Greenway is a public-private partnership between Action Greensboro and the City of Greensboro. This 4-mile multi-use trail not only defines downtown but expands its perceived footprint by encouraging private economic development in the surrounding areas. Initiated in the early 2000s and to be completed in early 2026, it serves as the central hub of the developing 100+ mile greenways and trails system in the community; encourages more active and healthy lives; provides complete transportation; adds green space and environmentally friendly infrastructure to the urban environment; and connects diverse neighborhoods by telling our stories with a significant public art program. This session will look at how the Downtown Greenway exemplifies the City of Greensboro’s commitment to creating an equitable community. Partnerships and community engagement have been key to the success of this $54 million project that has seen a return on investment with over $650+ million in private development.
