How to Create a Vibrant, Inclusive New City: The Story of Tysons, Virginia

For years, my impression of Tysons, Virginia has been that it feels like a miniature United Nations. As a longtime resident, I have loved sharing in this special amalgamation of local and immigrant communities, where people from all over the world mingle amid a glassy, cosmopolitan setting. There are suited up professionals walking the streets by day, but late at night the bars, cafes, hookah lounges, and beer gardens are packed with people speaking a multitude of languages. Among these people, the age range is remarkably wide. You will see people with families alongside others who are just starting out in life and getting their first apartments.

Tysons strikes a special balance: It has the high-rises of a city, a thriving nightlife, and intriguing restaurants, but it is small enough to feel comfortably residential. There is an ease to life here, a feeling that curiosity and optimism are to be encouraged. Hard work, while important, never comes at the expense of respect.

As one of my colleagues has put it, Tysons has a particular form of urbanism, one that simply isn’t replicated anywhere else. It has an uncommon diversity that goes beyond the surface level, and an inclusive architecture that sets a stage where life can be lived in a distinctly Tysons way. The story of how this came about is rich with lessons for urban environments everywhere.

Building on a historic foundation of retail and workplace

It would be impossible to describe Tysons’ path without mentioning the role of the Tysons Comprehensive Plan. These days, I am used to coming across articles like “