Urbanism in Dallas for Over 25 Years

Over the last 25 years Dallas has changed dramatically. The City has grown over twenty percent, with the North Texas region, integrally connected to Dallas, increasing by over fifty percent. The city has diversified its economic base and witnessed a major increase in construction of mid and high-rise, and multifamily projects in both the urban core and other areas of the city. New parks, trails, and civic spaces have been completed through public-private partnerships - with all this activity creating new areas to live, work and play. The city has become a minority majority city with a growth of diversity among its residents including the twenty five percent of Dallas’ population that was born in other countries. Growth has brought both opportunities and challenges. Education, affordable and accessible housing, poverty, access to healthcare, food deserts, transportation, respecting diversity, and city services are all areas that confront the city and need to be equitably addressed. This important Panel was presented by The Dallas Architecture Forum on June 29, 2023 to examine these and other key issues. The Panel discussed how decisions and developments over the last quarter century have brought us to where we are today. The Panelists also addressed what they see as priority actions we must take to improve the urban fabric of Dallas. Panelists were Patrick Kennedy, Founding Partner, Space Between Design Studio; Julia Ryan, Director, Planning and Urban Design, City of Dallas; and Tamela Thornton, Executive Director, Urban Land Institute Dallas-Fort Worth; with Moderator Eurico Francisco, Design Principal at Perkins&Will. Please support The Forum, a non-profit organization, at dallasarchitec... so we can continue to present lectures and events featuring design thought leaders that educate, connect communities, and enhance how we live.