Downtown Tempe, Arizona has a variety of destinations that create a unique space syntax between modern urban blocks, natural desert landscape, historical buildings, and a man made lake, to name a few. It’s the perfect destination for anyone that likes good music, the sun, the desert, and interesting architecture.

The desert doesn’t quite seem like an ideal summer destination, but if you enjoy taking in the sun, Downtown Tempe may be the perfect getaway where you can live, work, and play. I’ve decided to highlight several hidden gems in Downtown Tempe that are wonderful to behold, for anyone who may be interested.

Some of these destinations include:

• Tempe Center for the Arts: A beautiful arts center with a modern design;
• Tempe Butte: A small mountain located north of Arizona State University, perfect for families and children who wish to exercise;
• Tempe Town Lake: New pedestrian bridge (pictured below) is open to walkers, runners, and cyclers on this man-made lake that runs through the heart of Tempe, Arizona;
• Tempe Beach Park: Home to many annual festivals and concerts;
• Mill Avenue District: Center for nightlife, dining, and shopping;
• Papago Park: Beautiful Park in Sonoran Desert Habitat;
• Marquee Theatre: Music Venue located next to Tempe Town Lake.

If urban planners in Tempe wish to increase the number of visitors, students, and workers coming to the city, I suggest showcasing the modern architecture that the city has to offer within a diverse desert landscape. Tempe Town Lake has created a desirability for living, working, and playing off the shore or near the lake.  This is the result of innovative landscape architecture and architecture in a desert environment.  There really isn’t another place like this one.

Another suggestion, which has already been put into practice by the City of Tempe, is to use social media and internet marketing to draw more people to Tempe, by showcasing its unique urban qualities.  By targeting an online audience with an affinity for desert architecture, urban planning, and related topics, the city might draw more young practicing professionals in these fields to Downtown Tempe.

As a young professional in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and design, what would entice you to visit a city such as this one?

Credits: Image and data linked to sources.

Alex Banuelos

Alex Banuelos is a recent graduate of Arizona State University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Planning from the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning. He is currently pursuing his Real Estate License and plans on attending Arizona State University in the near future to earn a Master’s Degree in Real Estate Development. Born in California and raised in Arizona and Mexico, Alex has always been interested in how the physical environment shapes our daily lives and customs. What began as a career in Architecture turned into the discovery of Urban Planning as a profession, and this in turn sparked a newfound passion for cities, how they work, and how city dwellers interact within their cities. He hopes to use his skills and education to help increase awareness of the potential the public has in shaping their own communities. In the future he hopes to practice advocacy planning using grassroots methods to bring people and communities together, and away from rapid suburbanization. Most importantly he wishes to teach people of the importance of preserving the natural environment.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 19th, 2012 at 11:35 pm and is filed under Architecture, Branding, Environment, Environmental Design, Infrastructure, Land Use, Landscape Architecture, Urban Development/Real Estate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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