Imagine that downtown Pittsburgh is so visibly green that it delights the eye and turns heads.

Imagine that the green technology and buildings for which Pittsburgh is developing a national reputation become visible “on the outside” in the landscape itself. “Greening Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle,” a plan developed by WPC’s Community Gardens and Greenspace Program with support from the Heinz Endowments, could make this vision of Pittsburgh a reality. The assessment offers a wide range of opportunities, potential partners as well as the costs for downtown greening strategies. WPC staff are developing partnerships to pursue these opportunities and help transform Pittsburgh into a memorable green destination.

At this crucial moment of new development and investment in downtown Pittsburgh, this greening strategy will play an important role in the creation of a livable downtown.

The assessment focuses on five key areas of downtown: Gateway, Firstside, Fifth and Forbes/Market Square, the Cultural District and Grant Street. It recommends greening opportunities for each of these areas, such as street trees, planters, hanging baskets, green roofs and walls and green parking lots. Implementation would begin this year, during Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary.