Executive Summary: Nashville’s East Bank Development and Sustainable Development Goals

A major urban redevelopment project on Nashville’s East Bank is advancing with the selection of key architectural partners and the establishment of a construction timeline. The project, led by master developer The Fallon Company, is set to transform approximately 30 acres of Metro-owned land surrounding Nissan Stadium into a new, mixed-use neighborhood. This initiative demonstrates a strong alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by focusing on inclusive housing, innovative infrastructure, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Project Overview and Alignment with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The development aims to convert underutilized urban space, currently consisting of parking lots, into a vibrant and connected community. This objective is central to SDG 11, which seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The project’s vision is to create a neighborhood from the ground up that reflects Nashville’s energy while promoting sustainable urban growth.

Phase 1 Development Focus

The initial phase of construction will concentrate on Parcel C, located between the future Nissan Stadium and Shelby Avenue. This phase includes:

• A flagship hotel
• A multifamily residential building
• Integrated retail spaces

Commitment to Inclusive and Affordable Housing (SDG 1, SDG 10, SDG 11)

A critical component of the East Bank development is its commitment to affordable housing, directly addressing key SDG targets. The Fallon Company has partnered with Elmington Capital Group to manage this aspect of the project. This focus contributes to:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): By providing access to affordable housing options.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By fostering an inclusive, mixed-income community and mitigating economic segregation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By ensuring access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.

Key Partnerships and Contributions to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The success of this large-scale urban transformation relies on robust collaboration between public and private entities, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The project structure is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership designed to achieve sustainable development objectives.

Public-Private Partnership Framework

The foundational partnership is between Metro Nashville, the owner of the land, and The Fallon Company, the private master developer. This collaboration is essential for leveraging private sector expertise and capital for public benefit and urban renewal.

Architectural and Design Collaboration

The Fallon Company has assembled a diverse team of architectural firms to ensure high-quality, innovative design for the first phase. This collaboration brings together national and local expertise.

1. HKS and Michael Hsu Office of Architecture: These firms will design the hotel planned for Parcel C1, blending national experience with distinct design philosophies.
2. Gresham Smith and Morris Adjmi Architects: This team will lead the design of the multifamily residential building on Parcel C2. The inclusion of Gresham Smith, a firm based in Nashville for over 50 years, ensures the project is grounded in local context and contributes to the local economy.

Socio-Economic Impact and Contribution to SDGs

Economic Growth and Job Creation (SDG 8)

The East Bank project is poised to be a significant driver of economic activity, in line with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The development will generate numerous jobs during its construction phase and create long-term employment opportunities in the hospitality, retail, and property management sectors once complete.

Infrastructure and Innovation (SDG 9)

By developing a new neighborhood on previously underused land, the project represents a major investment in resilient and modern urban infrastructure, a key target of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The selection of world-class architectural partners underscores a commitment to innovative design and building a high-quality, sustainable urban environment.

Project Timeline and Future Outlook

The Fallon Company has announced that construction on the first phase of the East Bank development is projected to commence in 2026. This marks a significant step forward in transforming the area into an inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable extension of Nashville’s urban core, with progress measured not only in physical construction but also in its contribution to global sustainability targets.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on Nashville’s East Bank development touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals, primarily focusing on urban development, economic growth, and infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is the most relevant SDG. The entire article discusses a large-scale urban redevelopment project aimed at transforming an underutilized area into a “vibrant, active and connected neighborhood.” The project’s goal to create an “inclusive and vibrant neighborhood” and the specific inclusion of “affordable housing components” directly align with making cities inclusive, safe, and sustainable.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The development, which includes a “hotel, residential building and accompanying retail,” will inevitably create jobs and stimulate the local economy. The announcement that “construction on these first projects is projected to begin in 2026” points to future job creation in construction, hospitality, and retail sectors, contributing to economic growth.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The project is described as a “landmark development” and a “transformational project” that involves building new infrastructure from the ground up on “30 acres of East Bank land.” This involves constructing resilient infrastructure (residential and commercial buildings) to support economic development and community well-being.

Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

   This target is directly addressed through the announcement that an “affordable housing partner,” Elmington Capital Group, was selected for the project. The article explicitly mentions the inclusion of “affordable housing components,” showing a clear intent to provide housing options for various income levels.

2. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

   The project is a master-planned development for a significant portion of the city. The developer’s stated vision to “shape an inclusive and vibrant neighborhood” reflects the principles of sustainable urbanization and integrated planning. The collaboration between multiple architecture and design firms (“HKS, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, Gresham Smith and Morris Adjmi Architects”) for the “Phase 1 master planning” further supports this target.

3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

   The construction of a “hotel,” a “multifamily residential building,” and “retail” spaces constitutes the development of new, quality infrastructure. This infrastructure is designed to support economic activity and create a new community, thus enhancing human well-being. The commitment to affordable housing links this infrastructure development to the principle of “equitable access.”

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

The article, being an announcement of plans, implies future metrics that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 11.1:

  The explicit mention of “affordable housing components” implies a direct indicator: The number or percentage of affordable housing units constructed within the East Bank development. This would be a primary metric to evaluate the project’s success in providing access to affordable housing.

• Indicator for Target 11.3:

  The article mentions the development of “about 30 acres of East Bank land.” An implied indicator is the area of land developed under the integrated and inclusive master plan. Progress can be measured by tracking the development of these 30 acres according to the stated vision of creating an “inclusive and vibrant neighborhood.”

• Indicator for Target 9.1:

  The plan to build a “hotel,” “residential building,” and “retail” provides a clear indicator: The number of new residential and commercial units built. This measures the physical progress of the infrastructure development.

Summary of Findings

Source: tennessean.com