The Gathering Place, a $465 million new park in Tulsa, Oklahoma, opened in September 2018. | Shane Bevel/Shane Bevel Photography

The Great Places in America program selected 13 streets, neighborhoods, and urban spaces for the honor What makes a neighborhood, street, and public space truly great" Is it just location and landscaping" Or perhaps less definable characteristics like ambiance and flow" Every year, the American Planning Association (APA) helps us to better understand what makes an outstanding spot with its Great Places in America program, which recognizes towns that have created spaces that exemplify healthy revitalization, support cultural identity, and foster community.
This year, a committee of planners chose 13 urban places?four neighborhoods, six public spaces, and three streets?as examples of the ?gold standard? in urban planning. These include the gallery-filled Short North Arts District in Columbus, Ohio; the riverfront park, A Gathering Place, in Tulsa, Oklahoma; the vibrant food and entertainment scene on Governor?s Island in New York City; and the redeveloped strip of the Water Street District in Henderson, Nevada. Find out more about all the 2019 designees here.
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The Short North Arts District located just north of downtown Columbus, Ohio.

What do all of these places have in common" On the surface, not much. But each was created to address a need in its community, be it a place for fami...