The 2011 Oakland Community Plan: Broad-based Involvement for a Bold New Vision Introduction Pittsburgh’s greatest asset is the collective strength of its ninety neighborhoods. Oakland has long held the status as the most dynamic of them all. In terms of its diversity – of uses, demographics and urban fabric - Oakland surpasses even Downtown in its vitality as a 24-hour urban hub. The powerful mix of institutions, commercial activity, residential districts and parks are blended together in a way that provides unique experiences for its vast number of workers, long-time residents and thousands of students, many of whom are just becoming acquainted with the city. While Oakland is rich with resources, opportunities and success stories, its very nature brings many complex challenges as well. Large medical, educational and civic institutions exert great influence on the neighborhood. A largely transient population is not ideally suited to organize and address long-term quality of life issues. As an employment center the character of the neighborhood changes continually throughout each day. In no small measure, Oakland’s success can be attributed to two essential, symbiotic characteristics. The first is the strength of its institutions – individually as organizations and collectively as the Oakland Task Force (OTF). Second is its thirty-year commitment to community planning. The story of present-day Oakland begins with the Oakland Plan, completed in 1980. As a counterforce to the rapidly expanding University of Pittsburgh, this comprehensive planning process engaged stakeholders in every subneighborhood of Oakland to envision a future that would be harmonious and prosperous for all of its diverse interests. The impacts of this effort are numerous, and include the development of over 320 housing units; the creation of a successful workforce development program; and the establishment of a Business Improvement District, to name a few.
OPDC is embracing this challenge by inviting a new generation of community partners to become invaluable contributors to a new community plan.
Perhaps most important was the building of a solid community development infrastructure that is manifested in organizations such as Oakland Planning and Development Corporation (OPDC), Oakland Transportation Management Association (OTMA), Oakland Community Council (OCC), and many others. Amidst all of its accomplishments, Oakland is now in full stride and ready to take on the challenges of decades ahead. While continuing to provide its current services, OPDC is
The 2011 Oakland Community Plan
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