Last updated: November 2024
Civic Space Park, located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, is a notable example of urban design aimed at addressing the region’s increasing urban heat. In Phoenix, rising temperatures affect health, safety, comfort, and economic growth, and this impact is expected to worsen over time. In response, the park was developed to transform an underused site into a vibrant public space that prioritizes community engagement, sustainability, and urban revitalization. The project was realized through a public-private partnership between the City of Phoenix and Arizona State University, with strong community involvement shaping its development. This collaboration led to the “Urban Weave” concept, a design that embodies the identity and values of the local community. Civic Space Park was designed with several goals in mind. Increasing the tree canopy was essential to help reduce the urban heat island effect and improve air quality. Creating a welcoming area for social interaction, recreation, and relaxation was equally important to enhance community well-being. Water conservation was also prioritized, achieved through innovative stormwater management techniques such as permeable paving and underground infiltration. The park incorporates renewable energy generation as well, with on-site solar power helping to reduce energy consumption. One of the park’s unique features is its extensive use of pervious concrete paving, designed to allow stormwater to permeate directly into the subsurface. However, during installation, it became clear that placing the material over highly compacted soil limited water infiltration. To improve its effectiveness, future designs could include a plastic vapor barrier beneath the permeable paving to capture water and direct it to planting beds. This adjustment would enable the paving to act as a collection and storage system, gradually releasing water into the surrounding vegetation. (1-6)
Janet Echelman’s sculpture, “Her Secret Is Patience,” creates establishes Civic Space Park as an iconic downtown destination.
Craig Smith
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Green areas for water management
- Sustainable urban drainage systems
- Parks and urban forests
- Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Key challenges
- Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
- Climate change adaptation
- Climate change mitigation
- Environmental quality
- Air quality improvement
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
- Water security
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
- Inclusive governance
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
- Sense of community and community engagement
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Economic development: service sectors
Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)
- Climate-Related Hazards
- Drought
- Heat stress & Extreme temperatures
- Environmental Degradation
- Air pollution
- Physical water retention and availability
- Desertification
- Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
- Physical health harm (from pollution, wildfire, extreme temperature)
- Mental health issues (stress, anxiety)
- Inadequate access to recreational opportunities
- Social fragmentation and isolation
- Poor community engagement
Key priorities
Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Social Justice and community
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Creation of any other green urban spaces, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities
Project objectives
1. To create a vibrant public space by developing a central gathering place for the community to enhance social interaction, recreation, a sense of belonging and address community disengagement
2. To mitigate urban heat island effects by reducing air and surface temperatures through the use of shade trees, permeable paving, and green spaces
3. To improve air quality by increasing vegetation cover and reducing reliance on fossil fuels for cooling
4. To manage stormwater runoff by implementing sustainable stormwater management practices to reduce the burden on the city's drainage system
5. To promote sustainable design by incorporating renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies into the park's infrastructure
6. To enhance the local economy by stimulating economic activity through increased foot traffic and support for local businesses
7. To promote a better landscape design and construction by creating a shaded urban oasis with permeable paving and drought-tolerant vegetation
8. To involve the local community throughout the designing stages of the project (1-6)
Implementation activities
The design of Civic Space Park aimed to address a lack of green space in the city, the urban heat island effect, a lack of community engagement and improvement of a previous blighted urban area. The project involved several implementation activities:
1. Park design and construction: The project involved the design and construction of a 1.09 hectare urban park, including extensive lawns, shaded areas, performance venues, and a restored historic building (1-6).
2. Sustainable design features: The park incorporates sustainable elements such as shade structures that generate solar power, a water wall that helps cool the surrounding air, underground retention tanks to manage stormwater runoff, energy-efficient lighting, and extensive tree planting of 111 trees using specially engineered soils to foster plant health creating shade for over 70 percent of the park (1-3).
3. Community engagement: The project involved extensive community engagement throughout the design and development process, including public meetings, surveys, and design charrettes to create the 'Urban Weave' concept (1, 5-6).
4. Public amenities: The park offers a variety of public amenities, including a landmark art installation, splash pad, covered stage, and spaces for civic, educational, and social gatherings (1-6).
Climate-focused activities
Climate change adaptation:
- Increase urban vegetation cover to reduce urban heat island effect
- Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater
Climate change mitigation:
- Other
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes
Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities
Low-income neighborhoods, Urban heat islands, Minority or marginalized ethnic groups
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
- Young people and children
- Marginalized groups: Children, young people or youth groups , Elderly people, Disadvantaged ethnic or racial groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
- Dissemination of information and education
- Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The Civic Space Park project was characterized by a collaborative governance model (1, 6). The City of Phoenix took the lead, but close partnerships with Arizona State University, community groups, and design professionals were essential for the project's success (1, 6). Public input was actively sought through workshops and meetings, ensuring the park aligned with community needs and aspirations (1, 6).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Phoenix Parks and Preserves Initiative & Parks and Open Space Bond Program (6) )
Type of enablers
Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Type of non-financial contribution
- Provision of labour
- Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
- Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Achieved lowered local temperature
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved stormwater management
- Achieved improved stormwater management
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Achieved increased green space area
- Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
- Achieved increased conversion of degraded land or soil
- Increased number of species present
- Achieved increased number of species present
- Restoration of derelict areas
- Achieved restoration of derelict areas
Economic impacts
- Stimulate development in deprived areas
- Expected stimulate development in deprived areas
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved social cohesion
- Expected improved social cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Achieved improved access to urban green space
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Improved physical health
- Expected improved physical health
- Enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
- Expected enhanced cognitive restoration, relaxation and stress relief
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Promotion of cultural diversity
- Achieved promotion of cultural diversity
- Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
- Achieved protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure
Type of reported impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs
Unknown
References
1.
Martin, C., Colter, K., and Hicks, J. (2014). Phoenix Civic Space Park. Landscape Architecture Foundation, [Source link];
2.
City of Phoenix (n.d.). Civic Space Park. [Source link];
3.
Arizona State University (2018). Phoenix, Arizona: Civic Space Park. [Source link];
4.
Bruner Foundation, INC. (n.d.). A new downtown public space uniting a university and the community. [Source link];
5.
The Ferragut Law Firm (n.d.). Civic Space Park: A Vibrant Urban Oasis in Phoenix, AZ. [Source link];
6.
City of Phoenix & Arizona State University (2010). Civic Space Park . [Source link];
7.
MAG - Arizona Demographics (n.d.). MAG - Arizona Demographics . [Source link];
8.
The Nature Conservancy (2024). Addressing Heat and Air Quality in Phoenix. [Source link];
The ‘Urban Weave’ concept works to engage nearby amenities, such as the Metro Light Rail, connecting the park to its downtown context.
Daniel Watts
Phoenix Civic Space Park
https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/phoenix-civic-space-park#lessons-learned
Phoenix Civic Space Park
https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/phoenix-civic-space-park#lessons-learned
Phoenix Civic Space Park
https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/phoenix-civic-space-park#lessons-learned
Phoenix Civic Space Park
https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/phoenix-civic-space-park#lessons-learned
Phoenix Civic Space Park
https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/phoenix-civic-space-park#lessons-learned
Phoenix Civic Space Park
https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/phoenix-civic-space-park#lessons-learned
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.