LSA 220 Introduction to Landscape Architecture

The Creative Corridor: A Main Street Revitalization for Little Rock

Rebecca Nunes
10/28/2014


The city of Little Rock, Arkansas, was the client of the project of Analysis and Planning of the
University of Arkansas Community Design Center and Marlon Blackwell Architect. The downtown of the
city has many historical buildings and plazas that are at risk of demolition and this plan consists in a
renewal of four blocks of the principal street of this place, the Main Street. It combines a shared public
space without interfere too much in the natural landscape, but providing infrastructure for the cultural
groups and major arts that are dominant there.
The four blocks are aligned forming a corridor and they have not only an external structure for
the people but also a Storm Water management with Rain Gardens; Tree Meanders and Weirs; Curbs;
Pervious Parking; Infiltration Trenches, and open Bioswales. All of these structures were though to avoid
flood without interfere in the flow of the environment.
The project was also carefully designed for the people that would go there, because the corridor
has a pedestrian promenade with a Caf, a Symphony Rehearsal Space, a Public Art Space, a Boardwalk,
a Back-in Parking, Transits stops and many others features to make the place as comfortable as possible.
In conclusion, the Creative Corridor, which would be located in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas is
a magnificent project the won an Honor Award from ASLA, and deserved it, because it is clear,
uncomplicated and polished design of a public space.