What Could Have Been: Providence’s 21st Century (Un)built Environment

Cities are constantly being shaped by new development projects. Residents hotly debate whether the look and scale of a new building is appropriate. But what about the projects that never got built? Thislecture and walking tour will explore several projects in Providence that were proposed but never constructed. We’ll have an open discussion about how these projects might have impacted Providence’s built environment, and what we can learn from their demise. This program begins with a short slide presentation at PPS and proceeds to a walking tour of Downtown Providence.

Robert Azar, AICP, is the Deputy Director of the City of Providence’s Department of Planning and Development. He sits on the Rhode Island State Planning Council and is an Associate Professor of the Practice of Urban Studies at Brown University. Inhis 24-year career with the City of Providence, Mr. Azar has played a leadership role in every facet of city planning. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree in community planning from the University of Rhode Island.

This event is co-sponsored by Rhode Island School of Design, the Bristol Historical Society and PPS. This program, along with the film screening on October 22, participates in DOCOMOMO’s month-long celebration of modern architecture in the United States.

October 23 // 5 – 6:30pm
Providence Preservation Society — Second Floor Meeting Space
24 Meeting Street
$15 General // $10 PPS + DOCOMOMO members // Free for RISD students, faculty and staff with the code PPS@RISD

Please contact us with any questions or concerns at [email protected] or 401-831-7440.

Host or Publisher Providence Preservation Society