Wynwood Streetscape Master Plan and Design Guidelines
The Wynwood Streetscape Master Plan (WSMP) is a first-of-its-kind master plan that fosters right-of-way enhancements beyond standard requirements to roadway and sidewalk conditions, with an unprecedented focus on sustainability, resiliency, mobility, safety, and social connectivity throughout the 50-city-block (10 linear miles/216 acres) arts district. Until recently, Wynwood was an industrial neighborhood made up of high vacancies, light industry, warehouses, and asphalt. The area has since transitioned into a world-class mixed-use arts district with new residents arriving every day. The WSMP extends this evolution into the public realm, reclaiming the streets for people.
This multi-phased plan yields new pedestrian-friendly streets and sidewalks, including crosswalks, tree canopy and shade, wayfinding, and living streets (known as “woonerfs”). Additionally, several proposed amendments to the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD-1) are designed to incentivize property owners to build affordable/workforce housing, increase civic open space, and preserve legacy buildings and uses.
Commissioned by the City of Miami in collaboration with the Wynwood Business Improvement District (Wynwood BID), stakeholders, business owners, residents, artists, and developers, the ArquitectonicaGEO-led master plan prioritizes environmental resilience and sustainability and aims to develop Wynwood into a more walkable, connected, diverse, and livable neighborhood.
Approved by the City of Miami in October 2020, the Wynwood Streetscape Master Plan was formally adopted as an ordinance, making it a legally binding framework for right-of-way improvements within the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD-1). This milestone ensures that future development aligns with the Plan’s guiding principles and reinforces its role as a model for resilient urban planning citywide.
The plan introduces new crosswalks, mid-block crossings, widened sidewalks, protected bicycle lanes, and district-wide signage to improve mobility and enhance connections with Midtown, Overtown, and Edgewater. It uses permeable materials, green infrastructure, and expanded curbs to address flooding and reduce pedestrian crossing distances. A continuous verge of pervious concrete and bonded rubber mulch atop structural soil supports storm-resilient native tree species with expansive root zones. These function as a living system—managing stormwater, strengthening tree anchorage during storms, and reducing the urban heat island effect.
Three uniquely designed woonerfs increase civic open space and foster community gathering. “Wynwood Walks” offers a comprehensive pedestrian network of edge parks, wellness loops, and woonerfs, reinforcing the post-industrial aesthetic through the reuse of on-site materials and sustainable design strategies.
The WSMP’s green infrastructure sets a precedent for investing in the public realm to address climate hazards such as extreme heat, wind, and flooding. It enhances ecological function, expands the urban tree canopy, supports pollinators, and reintroduces native vegetation—all while preserving Wynwood’s iconic street art. Since the district’s revitalization began, over 7,500 new jobs, 5 million annual visitors, and $1.5 billion in investment have supported South Florida’s economy—with the WSMP ensuring that this growth is matched by a resilient, people-first urban environment.
