Two proposed design schemes part of street upgrade plan in city renowned for urban planning Some of the South?s most historic streets are getting an upgrade.
EDSA, an international planning, landscape, and urban design firm, will be redesigning part of the streetscape of Savannah, Georgia, a Southern town known for its grid system and historic streets. Announced earlier this year, the initiative, which will reportedly cost $8 million, isn?t a huge facelift, but any change needs to reckon with the rich historic of Savannah urban design.
EDSA was chosen from a field of competing firms seeking to redesign portions of Broughton, Bay, and River streets, three important thoroughfares in the city with the most need for renovation. EDSA?s two concepts, a Coastal and Historic plan, were created to help encourage biking and walking throughout the city, building on the complete street concept. Refined throughout a series of public meeting with Savannah residents, the two concepts won?t impact any of the city?s renowned fountains and squares, part of the celebrated grid system famously laid out by John Oglethorpe in the 18th century.
?We approached the project by thinking, ?what are the overarching themes we can reference to help make this a better public realm, while keeping in touch with the historic nature of Savannah"?? says John Torti, a landscape architect at EDSA.

EDSA
The Historic take on River Street

The Coastal concept includes plant...