H-GAC Livable Centers Study: Fourth Ward

Houston, Texas

Located directly west of downtown Houston, the Fourth Ward is experiencing a new demand for redevelopment. Two neighboring districts (Midtown and River Oaks) surround the area and have been culturally separated for decades. Construction of new transportation routes, such as I-45 and the 610 loop, eliminated many of the Fourth Ward’s most important buildings and destroyed the geographical integrity of the community.

Design Workshop was hired by the City of Houston, the Fourth Ward Redevelopment Authority and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to develop a Livable Center Study which will contribute to the “livable” nature of the district. This study will address community goals such as enhancing public spaces, creating quality, mixed-use places, improving environmental quality, and promoting economic development. Through thoughtful planning and careful balancing of priorities, economic growth can occur while simultaneously protecting the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. This study will also further the mission of the H-GAC‘s Transportation Policy Council to address mobility challenges and quality of life issues in the region.