Community Revitalization

The Community Revitalization focus area of the Restoration Institute applies the expertise of skilled professionals and researchers concerned with the planning and design of cultural landscapes and the promotion of community health. The technical knowledge and visionary aspects of planning are employed to assist communities in South Carolina and around the world to strengthen their ability in sustaining and restoring essential environmental, social and cultural qualities. These community planning and design approaches will often incorporate a larger regional context to assure the feasibility and long term sustainability of the proposed restoration plans. 

Economic Development and Rapid Population Growth

The impact of economic growth and development on local communities is of significant importance.  Many small towns and cities are experiencing significant changes due to decentralized growth patterns or urban sprawl. The ecological and historic cultural fabric of communities is being compromised worldwide as a consequence. Future growth must be guided by effective design and planning to create more sustainable communities that benefit residents and industry, while preserving natural habitats and cultural landscapes.

Sustainable Social and Built Environments 

Two cross-disciplinary efforts that are being addressed include the effects of natural disasters and neglect of social stability and the built  environment. Poor economic conditions have resulted in the lack of maintenance of essential services and the loss of hope, leading to the diminution of social communities. The promise of designing resilient infrastructures and communities helps guard against disenfranchisement and can prevent disasters. Likewise, the threat of catastrophic events such as hurricanes and tsunamis can cause immediate and devastating change, requiring years of recovery. In such situations, planning and design assistance must come quickly.

Another possible outcome of this focus area is the design of healthy or "walkable communities." Inactivity and obesity along with associated diseases have emerged as major public health challenges of this century. Unsafe communities, lack of alternative transportation systems, poor land use patterns, and undesirable community characteristics all lead to a lack of individual physical activity. Superior environments are needed for the future physical health of individuals, as well as economic health of communities.