The American Planning Association has released its 2008 “Great Places in America” survey, which lists 10 great neighborhoods, streets and public spaces.
APA is dedicated to the development and sustainability of “vital” communities. In choosing these 30 “great” places, the organization says it is celebrating character, quality and planning.
From APA’s Web site: “Places are selected annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow. APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live.”
Being a sucker for neighborhoods, I list APA’s 10 great neighborhoods here:
- Charles Village (Baltimore)
- Downtown Salem (Salem, Mass.)
- Downtown Sheridan (Sheridan, Wyoming)
- Echo Park (LA)
- Greater Park Hill (Denver)
- Greater University Hill (Syracuse)
- North End (Boise)
- Old Town (Wichita)
- Society Hill (Philadelphia)
- Village of Mariemont (Mariemont, Ohio)
You can check out the other lauded locations — 10 great streets and 10 great public spaces — here.