Ohio—Cincinnati—Planning

The beginning of urban planning in Cincinnati began ironically with a plan for a comprehensive system of parks designed in 1907 by George Kessler, a nationally prominent landscape architect. Kessler's proposed plan dealt not only with 18 parks and 17 public squares/recreational areas but, as noted historian Zane Miller wrote, it was "to inspire civic patriotism by encouraging the construction of monumental public and quasi-public buildings in an impressive downtown setting, to bring all the neighborhoods of the city closer together by improving cross-town and downtown commuter circulation, and to mitigate the problems of traffic congestion and children playing in the streets." While only parts of Kessler's comprehensive plan were enacted, it started influential people thinking of the extensive possibilities. In 1913, a group of citizens organized the City Planning Committee; Alfred Bettman was selected president. Business Courier, Opinion-Lessons from a pioneer in planning by Steven Wright, August 18, 1997

 

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