City of University City, MO
Impacts of historic segregation.
Historic practices of exclusion based on race have shaped how University City has developed, including policies that have restricted where people live and the amenities and services to which they have access. This history has led to significant segregation within the city, a pattern which does not promote equity or an inclusive community. University City is one of a few municipalities in the region, other than the City of St. Louis, that contains within its boundaries a clear racial and economic transition from predominantly white communities to predominantly Black communities. The comprehensive plan was an opportunity to address these challenges and create a policy guide to create broader opportunities for where residents live and how they access amenities and services they need.
Addressing environmental challenges.
Major flooding and storm events have impacted the city in recent decades, inundating neighborhoods and destroying property and displacing residents. The plan made an effort to share a vision for the physical environment in flood prone areas, and all areas vulnerable to storm damage, that recognized that development should be generally discouraged or significantly adapted in these areas.
Incorporating regional trends.
The distinctive neighborhoods, historic architecture, and integrated parks and open spaces that residents of this bedroom community enjoy today, are products of both local leadership and broader forces from around the St. Louis region. But it is also a reflection of regional trends, as the demand for new types of communities and alternatives to conventional city living grow, and regional transportation networks make that evolution possible. University City’s future is intrinsically linked to its ability to leverage its position in the region and capitalize upon opportunities to collaborate with its neighbors.
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Final Document
Tags
Project Type: comprehensive plan
Community Type: city
Client: City of University City
Services: comprehensive planning, land use, community engagement
