Save the Date: June 11-14, 2025
Providence is no stranger to CNU. As many recall, in 2006, the city was the host of CNU 14. Since then, Providence has not been idle despite the Great Recession and a historic pandemic. Throughout Downtown and many of the city's neighborhoods, progress continues. After a slow start, steady progress is occurring to infill the downtown parcels made available after the removal of the I-195 highway interchange. Downcity continues to heal from its 1980's nadir with infill projects and adaptive reuse of all stripes, including creating over 500 new apartments. Plans are in place for a complete reimagining of the State's most important civic space, Kennedy Plaza. And the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has begun working towards a complete overhaul of its Providence transit operations.
The creation of city-wide bike lanes, an award-winning pedestrian bridge, public art programs, and waterfront parks have all occurred since the city last hosted the Congress. But Providence still faces its share of problems, including persistent challenges around race and equity, lack of affordable housing, and particular vulnerability to sea-level rise and climate change. Providence is on the verge of improving its economy and leveraging innovations in governance and public process to accelerate the city's improvements even further. The timing is exceptional to host CNU as Providence needs the insight and expertise that occurs with a gathering of the world's leading urbanists, architects, policymakers, engineers, and associated professionals. The 33rd Congress will be one focused on progress and hope, an event to roll up our sleeves and work together to advance the New Urbanist movement.