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UrbanPlan Exercise #1: Introduction to UrbanPlan

Name: Date:

UrbanPlan is about a neighborhood called the Elmwood District in the City of Yorktown. Communities all over the country share the Elmwood District’s problems: what was once a thriving part of town is now run-down and deteriorated. Like many cities and towns, Yorktown is seeking a private real estate development company (you and your teammates) to propose and build a project that will revitalize its once vital neighborhood. Before considering the specific issues involved in this complex project, we will first consider some general questions and concerns.

Where You Live

1. If you had to describe your city or town to an outsider, what would you say? What does it looklike? What kinds of things can you do there? Who lives there? Who works there?

2. What do you think is the worst or least appealing building or place in your city or town?

3. What building or place do you like the best?

4. How much do you know about the history of your city or town? How old is it? Do you knowabout any major changes or developments that have taken place over time or recently?

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5. Based on what you know of how your city or town has changed, would you say your city ortown is becoming more or less of a good place to live? Why?

Where You Want to Live

6. What kind of place would you like to live in? Why?

7. If you could make a wish list of good living conditions, what would it include? Identify at leastfive characteristics of a good place to live.

8. Do you know of any place that has more of those characteristics than your city or town?What town or city is it?