Richmond, Virginia has one of the most storied histories of any U.S. city, yet it is often overlooked at the national scale. For decades, the city struggled with issues of poverty and racial tension, but in 2015 the tide is turning. In the new millennium the city has experienced urban growth and development at an unprecedented level.
This website highlights all of the facets that have helped shape the city of Richmond over time. Every student in Dr. Carla Chifos' Structures and Human Dynamics course in the Master of Community Planning program at the University of Cincinnati selected an American city to analyze. As a native Virginian, Richmond has always been an important and interesting city, and I wanted to illustrate just how instrumental the city is over the span of American history.
This website highlights all of the facets that have helped shape the city of Richmond over time. Every student in Dr. Carla Chifos' Structures and Human Dynamics course in the Master of Community Planning program at the University of Cincinnati selected an American city to analyze. As a native Virginian, Richmond has always been an important and interesting city, and I wanted to illustrate just how instrumental the city is over the span of American history.
Richmond in 2015
Situated near the center of the state, the city of Richmond serves as the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to the 2010 Census, the city has a population of 204,214, and is estimated to have increased to 214,114 by 2013 (Census.gov). Located along the James River, the city has a total land area of 59.81 square miles, rendering a density level of 3,414 citizens per square mile (Census.gov). The demographics of the city reflect a diverse composition, with 50% African-American, 44% White, and 6% Hispanic (Census.gov). The Metropolitan Statistical Area encompasses 5,686 square miles, and includes a 16-county, 4-independent city region with 1,245,800 people; making it the 56th largest MSA in the United States (Virginia Economic Development Partnership). While Richmond is the capital of Virginia, government jobs do not define the city. As of 2014, there are six fortunate 500 companies in the Richmond-areas in various economic sectors like insurance, business services, automotive retail, and tobacco (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2014). Law and finance do play significant roles in the economic makeup of Richmond, as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond are located in the town (uscourts.gov). The economic prominence of the city is assisted by students from local higher education institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, and Virginia Union University (VEDP). For a city of its size, Richmond has a wealth of cultural amenities that are tightly knit to its prominent historical role. Dense neighborhoods filled with architecturally significant homes, world-class museums, a symphony, ballet, and strong theater presence help establish Richmond as the cultural center of Virginia (Richmond.gov).
