In a region known for economic stagnation, Columbus, OH continues to grow and make progress at a Sunbelt pace.

Metro Jacksonville's first European city comparison takes you to Dublin.  Like Jacksonville, Dublin is split down the middle by a river.  In Dublin's case, it is the River Liffey.

An economy based off shipbuilding and the Navy.  A riverfront downtown, decimated by urban renewal in an Atlantic Coast city, in stiff competition with it's southside and beach suburbs.  Sounds like Jacksonville, however it's Norfolk, Virginia.  Despite the economic similarities it's downtown revitalization tactics have been acclaimed in the economic development world to be a true success.  Should Jacksonville take notice?

Have you ever wondered what the parks that border Downtown and Springfield could look like with a little extra love, care, and attention?  Savannah's Forsyth Park offers an interesting glimpse at what could be.

Over the past few decades, Charlotte has become one of the most progressive and fastest growing cities in the Southeast.  Let's take a look at how this city is shaping up from an urban perspective.

"We have to think of these corridors ... as the front door of our neighborhoods." - Jacksonville Planning Director Brad Thoburn. 

Months ago we critized the nomination of Brad Thoburn as Jacksonville's Planning Director.  However, there is merit behind his department's recent suggestion of clustering retail strip center buildings and making parking less of a focal point.

This time there's no comparison.  Instead, let's examine what vibrant urban life looks and feels like, while paying close attention to the subtle things that combine create this urban powerhouse of activity. 

Known as the Mecca of Sprawl, Georgia's largest city offers several good and bad examples of how to create a vibrant urban atmosphere.

First planned in the mid-1990s and officially opened in 2005, the 138 acre Atlantic Station is one of the largest and most recent urban renewal projects in the Southeast.

While Jacksonville is known for having the largest urban park system in the country, it doesn't take much to see that we struggle to get the most out of our parks.  Let's take a look at how Atlanta, another Sunbelt Sprawler, has created one of the most successful urban public spaces in less than ten years.