UC Students Help Map Out Goshen's Future

The settlement of Goshen was founded in 1819 as a tiny farming community.  Now, the historic community, which is part of Goshen Township in northern Clermont County, is poised for growth as the county’s population gains of the last decade catch up to the area.

And “Old Goshen” doesn’t want to get left behind as the waves of residential and business growth lap around it.  Goshen Township, which currently has more than 14,000 residents, is expected to grow by about 40 percent to almost 22,400 residents by 2020.

That’s why township officials will join with 36 University of Cincinnati planning students and about 20 local planning professionals for a one-day, marathon session from 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, that will brainstorm the best ways that the hamlet of Goshen can participate in and benefit from projected growth spurts while avoiding growing pains.  The day-long “charrette” as it is called – a charrette being a design term for an intensive look at community issues – will focus on the area’s approaching transportation, education, housing and business challenges and opportunities.  The charrette will be held in the Goshen Township Hall, 6759 Wood St., in Goshen.

“We’re brainstorming on maintaining and improving the quality of life there before the area expands even more,” explained Roger Barry, professor of planning in UC’s top-ranked College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.  “Goshen’s village proper and its surrounding area are already growing.  There’s a new high school, junior high and elementary.  We need to look at what to do with the historic population center so it won’t be overwhelmed by all the growth around it.”

UC alum and local planner Dan Boron is heading the Nov. 13 event.  He summed up the challenges: “It’s a disparate area with an old, historical area, the Route 28 corridor bringing retail and a school complex.  It’s an old town with new people coming in.  So, we’re asking, how can growth happen in the best way for everyone?  Goshen is at the front line of development and growth in the Cincinnati region.”

As their tools to draw a better future for the township, the master’s level students and their professional counterparts will use growth projections, existing maps of ongoing development, topographical maps and photos of the area. 

In the morning, the group will explore the village on foot, viewing existing structures, resources and use patterns while talking to residents, business owners and officials.  Early in the afternoon, they’ll debate the best options for the community, and at about 3 p.m., the students will begin producing their own maps and renderings of what they consider the best options for the town.

Said Barry, “They may focus on bike trails, parks, a commercial center and housing.  The key guide for them is to encourage growth that is not sprawl.  Their mission is to enhance the quality of life there.”

Later, the professional designers and planners working with the students will take up all the ideas produced and organize them in a coherent package to be presented to government officials in January.