►
From YouTube: Aiken Strategic Plan - Planning Today For Tomorrow
Description
Produced in 1995
A
A
A
This
report
is
presented
in
four
sections:
a
historic
City,
a
green
City,
a
business
city,
a
family
City.
These
themes
reflect
the
intrinsic
values
shared
by
the
Aiken
community,
appreciation
for
the
past,
stewardship
of
resources,
commitment
to
economic
strength
and
dedication
to
family
and
community.
A
A
The
years,
however,
relatively
little
has
been
done
to
build
upon
the
foundation
that
Dexter
and
Paz
Calais,
provided
while
suburban
growth,
south
of
the
city,
has
flourished.
Many
Parkway
neighborhoods
are
characterized
by
unsightly
utilities,
neglect
incompatible
land
uses,
abandoned
buildings,
substandard
housing
and
a
disproportionate
racial
balance.
A
A
Aikens
Park
ways
are
its
most
valuable
legacy.
Citizens
need
only
look
southward
to
historic,
Savannah's,
much
admired
squares
to
see
the
inherent
but
unrealized
promise
of
Aikens
Parkway
system.
Today,
however,
the
park
ways
are
generally
indistinguishable,
except
for
main
traffic
arteries.
One
Parkway
looks
much
like
the
other.
Consequently,
they
become
in
a
sense,
invisible
or
at
least
easily
overlooked.
A
Aikens
boundary
streets,
for
example,
provide
a
powerful
opportunity
for
defining
the
old
Aiken
village
within
the
larger
city.
South
boundary
Street
already
features
a
virtual
canopy
of
live
oak
trees
dating
back
to
the
1800s.
By
planting
these
fast-growing
long-lived
trees
along
the
other
boundary
streets,
Aiken
can
physically
and
visually
delineate
the
village.
A
A
By
reconceiving
Park
Avenue,
as
it
originally
was
as
Aikens,
most
notable
and
most
formal
garden
parkway.
The
city
can
make
a
memorable
statement
about
the
city's
history
and
its
future.
By
turning
back
the
clock
and
reconnecting
the
walking
paths
and
adding
the
color
and
fragrance
of
flowering
plants,
the
park
can
once
again
become
Aikens
signature,
Parkway.
A
Since
earliest
times,
statues,
arches,
fountains
and
pavilions
have
been
symbols
of
the
culture
of
a
community
for
each
citizen.
They
represent
the
history,
the
values
and
the
essence
of
home.
Each
intersection
along
Park
Avenue
could
become
a
focal
point
for
sculpture,
like
this
existing
pylon
and.
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Entire
new
communities
are
being
created
with
a
grid,
Street
pattern,
integrating
shops,
workplaces,
housing
parks
and
civic
facilities,
such
as
libraries
and
two
close-knit
communities
that
are
both
charming
and
functional,
and
although
the
potential
for
private
investment
and
growth
is
great,
the
public
cost
to
recreate
the
small-town
way
of
life,
reminiscent
of
the
early
1900's,
will
be
relatively
modest.
Thanks
to
the
city's
historic
infrastructure.
A
A
By
increasing
the
villages,
population
density
akin
consult,
a
knee
ously
address
issues
of
affordable
housing,
diversity,
housing
standards
and
improved
land
values.
The
old
Aiken
villages
population
can
easily
double
by
2010
and
thereby
create
a
livelier,
more
diverse
and
safer
inner-city
area
for
residents
and
visitors
alike.
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
The
Aiken
technology
center
envisioned
as
a
park
for
smaller
businesses,
technology
transfer
and
emerging
high-tech
businesses,
is
proposed
for
the
eastern
edge
of
old
Aiken.
This
ties
into
the
parkway
system
of
the
old
Aiken
village
and
would
give
the
city
a
Business
Park,
with
a
distinctive,
unique
character,
not
available
elsewhere.
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
Akins
challenge
for
the
retired
is
twofold:
to
meet
the
needs
of
elderly
citizens
in
ways
that
ensure
their
quality
of
life
and,
at
the
same
time
continue
to
draw
young
affluent
seniors
to
the
area
in
2010,
Aiken
has
become
a
model
for
other
cities,
a
harmonious
community
perfectly
suited
to
the
physical,
aesthetic
and
spiritual
needs
of
its
residents.
As
you
consider,
this
vision
for
Aiken
bear
in
mind
that
our
work
is
not
finished.
Rather,
this
is
merely
the
beginning
of
a
work
in
progress
and
in
preservation.