The Southwestern Medical District (SWMD) Urban Streetscape Design (Green Spine Vision) and 10-acre park project continues with planning its visionary, therapeutic landscape redesign and transformation of the Harry Hines corridor. Phase One of the Equitable Engagement Plan (EEP) is now complete, and the report is attached below. The Project Team would like to thank all the participants who took time to provide their much-needed input. The team created numerous opportunities for the public, medical staff and students, civic and business leaders, as well as City staff and elected officials to be involved.
The Urban Streetscape plan, dubbed the SWMD Green Spine Vision is also complete, and the Foundation is finalizing the report after the culmination of nearly two years of planning and discussions around the future of Harry Hines Blvd. The community voiced safety, the environment, and connections as the top priorities for the project.
Looking forward into Phase Two, SMWD has several activities planned that include:
- Focus Groups
- Virtual Reality/ Augmented Reality
- Pop-Up Outreach Events
- Walking Tours
- Community Workshop
- Broad education campaigns for the duration of the project
Future plans also include instituting a first-of-its-kind collaborative Living Lab that will be established in the Medical District to study how access to and use of green spaces help build healthier, more equitable communities. The Living Lab will open the door to research and data collection pre- and post-construction and provide scientific evidence of the benefits of nature needed to change policy and influence the design profession. The Living Lab will also address urban health challenges facing Dallas County through impact studies on green space for disadvantaged communities, promote person-centered design through the integration of nature in future development projects, and share research to educate the public concerning the benefits of exposure to urban nature or green space to improve health.
