Urban
Planning
OV’s approach to urban planning is to not only understand the built environment but to comprehend an area’s history, people, and cultures. OV strives to develop comprehensive and tailored plans and supporting outreach strategies that achieve the best results for each community. We bring a unique ability to integrate land use, infrastructure, quality of life, and community values to envision meaningful public places. Below we share an Urban Planning Project Feature followed by a selection of six other Urban Planning projects our office has recently completed. We invite you to check them out!
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Neighborhood Planning Intiative
West Area Plan
City and County of Denver, CO
BACKGROUND
OV Consulting Served as the Project Manager and Mobility Lead for the fourth planning effort under the Neighborhood Planning Initiative of the City and County of Denver known as the West Area Plan.
OV Consulting worked extensively with the neighborhoods within the West Area to identify gaps in the transportation network, assess increasing residential and commercial growth, and address travel demand.
Through this collaborative effort, it was found that existing land use patterns, infill development, and major redevelopment efforts were crucial to understanding future growth, increased travel demand, and changing mobility needs within the West Area neighborhoods.
ENGAGEMENT
To understand the dynamics of the community, the West Area Plan had a robust outreach process that engaged the help of residents, advocacy organizations, corridor BIDs, developers, and stakeholders.
The community engagement revealed that the West Area Neighborhoods were looking for increased connectivity, access across major barriers, safety and comfort for all trail users, future high-capacity transit corridors, neighborhood traffic calming, and trail improvements along Lakewood, Weir Gulch, and the South Platte River.
OUTCOME
This nearly two-year effort resulted in a cohesive, representative, and well-received community plan currently going through final Denver approvals.
PROJECTS
40th and COLORADO NEXT STEPS STUDY
OV Consulting led a holistic evaluation and planning process examining connectivity, redevelopment, green infrastructure, and community health for the 40th & Colorado A-line Commuter Rail Station and adjacent area. Our work resulted in a framework for connectivity throughout the area, the extension of Monroe Street as a greenway to the station area, and a new multi-modal cross section for 40th Avenue, emphasizing improved water quality and increased pedestrian mobility. OV managed a highly successful multi-faceted technical team and planning approach that wove together numerous neighborhood transportation and land use enhancements with the support of key stakeholders and the community.
40th and Colorado Next Steps Study
DENVER'S TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY
OV Consulting researched the historical evolution of infrastructure, transportation, land use growth, and community development throughout the City of Denver. This research is essential to understanding today’s infrastructure needs and addressing ongoing community equity concerns. This work has been presented in numerous urban design forums and is now being documented through ArcStory as a user-friendly interface and understandable reference guide for planners and others making decisions that will continue to shape the city's future.
Denver's Transportation Infrastructure and Development History
DENVER MOVES EVERYONE - DENVER'S STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2022
OV led the development of land use projections to model future citywide transportation demand. Working with DRCOG, Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and Community Planning and Development, we evaluated land use patterns, planned development and growth scenarios, and developed high and low 2050 projection datasets for the city.
Denver Moves Everyone - Denver's Strategic Transportation Plan, 2022
HEALTHY RIVER CORRIDOR STUDY, 2022
OV Consulting is leading a multi-faceted study of the South Platte River and associated tributaries through the City and County of Denver. The goals, objectives, evaluation, and recommendations of this study protect and enhance the space along the water’s edge for riparian habitat, mobility options, recreational and open space, and the interface with adjacent land use. In addition, this study identifies a cohesive direction and the associated benefits of a healthy river corridor and sets the stage for future investment.
Healthy River Corridor Study, 2022
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER NEEDS ASSESSMENT, 2021
OV Consulting managed the evaluation of historic and existing conditions of the City and County of Denver’s transportation network and land use development patterns along this critical Denver corridor. This study focused on the intersection of today’s development demands and the capacity of the area’s infrastructure and laid the groundwork for subsequent planning efforts.
South Platte River Needs Assessment, 2021
University and Colorado Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study
OV was the lead consultant managing the Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study for Colorado and University Light Rail Stations. Both stations are key nodes along the E, F, and H RTD Light Rail lines, yet remain disconnected from the local neighborhoods by a history of auto-centric development patterns. Working closely with the University of Denver, the City and County of Denver, and local neighborhood organizations, OV designed transportation infrastructure and place-making improvements to support the development of innovative, vibrant, and walkable station areas. The project included an extensive public outreach program, implementing various community engagement methods to reach a wider audience of commuters, students, and local residents. The final recommendations from this project were designed to activate the stations, increase mobility, address safety, and enhance the public realm.
This study was named Transportation Solutions Champion by the Transportation Solutions Foundation for high-quality work and OV’s dedicated role in the Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study.
University and Colorado Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study
PROJECTS
40th and COLORADO NEXT STEPS STUDY
OV Consulting led a holistic evaluation and planning process examining connectivity, redevelopment, green infrastructure, and community health for the 40th & Colorado A-line Commuter Rail Station and adjacent area. Our work resulted in a framework for connectivity throughout the area, the extension of Monroe Street as a greenway to the station area, and a new multi-modal cross section for 40th Avenue, emphasizing improved water quality and increased pedestrian mobility. OV managed a highly successful multi-faceted technical team and planning approach that wove together numerous neighborhood transportation and land use enhancements with the support of key stakeholders and the community.
40th and Colorado Next Steps Study
DENVER'S TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY
OV Consulting researched the historical evolution of infrastructure, transportation, land use growth, and community development throughout the City of Denver. This research is essential to understanding today’s infrastructure needs and addressing ongoing community equity concerns. This work has been presented in numerous urban design forums and is now being documented through ArcStory as a user-friendly interface and understandable reference guide for planners and others making decisions that will continue to shape the city's future.
Denver's Transportation Infrastructure and Development History
DENVER MOVES EVERYONE - DENVER'S STRATEGIC TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2022
OV led the development of land use projections to model future citywide transportation demand. Working with DRCOG, Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and Community Planning and Development, we evaluated land use patterns, planned development and growth scenarios, and developed high and low 2050 projection datasets for the city.
Denver Moves Everyone - Denver's Strategic Transportation Plan, 2022
HEALTHY RIVER CORRIDOR STUDY, 2022
OV Consulting is leading a multi-faceted study of the South Platte River and associated tributaries through the City and County of Denver. The goals, objectives, evaluation, and recommendations of this study protect and enhance the space along the water’s edge for riparian habitat, mobility options, recreational and open space, and the interface with adjacent land use. In addition, this study identifies a cohesive direction and the associated benefits of a healthy river corridor and sets the stage for future investment.
Healthy River Corridor Study, 2022
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER NEEDS ASSESSMENT, 2021
OV Consulting managed the evaluation of historic and existing conditions of the City and County of Denver’s transportation network and land use development patterns along this critical Denver corridor. This study focused on the intersection of today’s development demands and the capacity of the area’s infrastructure and laid the groundwork for subsequent planning efforts.
South Platte River Needs Assessment, 2021
University and Colorado Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study
OV was the lead consultant managing the Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study for Colorado and University Light Rail Stations. Both stations are key nodes along the E, F, and H RTD Light Rail lines, yet remain disconnected from the local neighborhoods by a history of auto-centric development patterns. Working closely with the University of Denver, the City and County of Denver, and local neighborhood organizations, OV designed transportation infrastructure and place-making improvements to support the development of innovative, vibrant, and walkable station areas. The project included an extensive public outreach program, implementing various community engagement methods to reach a wider audience of commuters, students, and local residents. The final recommendations from this project were designed to activate the stations, increase mobility, address safety, and enhance the public realm.
This study was named Transportation Solutions Champion by the Transportation Solutions Foundation for high-quality work and OV’s dedicated role in the Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study.
University and Colorado Multi-Station Plan and Mobility Study