The original concept for the Plan's area of study was inside the inner loop of the interstate. But after discussing among NCDC staff and the committees, two considerations emerged that caused the scope of the Plan to expand to include the surrounding first-ring neighborhoods. First, the study, while focousing on the downtown, should examine the organic boundaries of the city rather than the artificial ones created by the interstates. Second, the river should not be treated as an edge but always studied as a center of focus, as a point of connection rather than divison.

The next step was to divide this study area into smaller, more manageable chunks. Each design team needed a section of focus that was cohesive, in cluded whole neighborhoods, and was of a manageable scale. The historic pikes were used to delineate each team's section, because the pikes were the traditional divisions between neighborhoods. The exception to this was Jefferson Street; although not strictly speaking a pike, this street's historic importance made it the edge of four sections. Because the river was not to be treated as an edge, relevant sections included both east and west banks.

The pairs of team leaders were then assigned to a section, with two cautions: that the boundaries were to be considered as soft to allow for overlapping and combination when issues warranted, and that eventually the sections would have to be reassembled for consideration as a whole.



Vision Workshop Map
Click on each area of map below to see Vision Workshop results.

"We can chart our future cleraly and wisely only when we know the path that has led to the present."

Adlai Stevenson, speech,
Richmond, Virginia
(September 20, 1952)