For communities like Chimney Rock Village, it requires reclaiming identity, rebuilding in smarter ways, and working through the emotional and economic weight of disruption.

It involves bringing together planning, design, and economic strategy to help local leaders move forward with clarity and confidence.

At Destination by Design, we partner with civic leaders across the U.S. to plan, build, and promote vibrant places. Our services include community branding, trail and park planning, wayfinding planning, signage design, and destination marketing- all aimed at boosting quality of life and economic vitality. Looking to move your community forward? View services and contact us today.

Recovery That Goes Beyond the Basics

In the immediate aftermath of a flood, fire, or storm, most communities focus (rightfully) on emergency response and infrastructure repair. But what about the weeks and months that follow—when local business owners are unsure how to reopen, when longtime residents feel disconnected, and when future investments feel risky or unclear?

Destination by Design supports long-term recovery by helping civic leaders reconnect with their community’s character, identify strategic investments, and rebuild in ways that promote economic resilience.

What We’ve Learned from Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock Village, NC, has become a meaningful case study in our approach. Through the Chimney Rock Recovery Action Plan, we’ve helped the town plan for a future that honors its past—without being stuck in it.

Here’s what the process looked like:

Community Engagement
We partnered with residents, local business owners, and the Village Council to understand not just what was lost, but what matters most.
Emotional Support
Recovery involves grief. We facilitated spaces where emotions could be heard and channeled into constructive action.
Strategic Land Use: We worked with local and state partners to identify public and private properties suited for infill, relocation, and resilience-based improvements.
Recreation-Based Vision: The new concept plan centers around a revitalized riverwalk and parks, combining ecological restoration with visitor attraction.
Infrastructure Planning: A redesigned streetscape supports safer, more accessible movement while boosting the Village’s visual identity.

This wasn’t just about rebuilding—it was about rethinking what the village could be and setting the foundation for a stronger, more connected community.

Turning Setbacks Into Long-Term Growth

We know that recovery can be overwhelming. Community leaders are often pulled in many directions—managing FEMA requirements, navigating property damage, trying to reopen downtown businesses, and comforting a frustrated public.

Destination by Design helps streamline the process by serving as a trusted guide. We bring in experts in:

Land use planning
Wayfinding and signage
Park and trail system design
Tourism and destination marketing
Community branding and identity

Together, these disciplines allow us to build a comprehensive plan—not just a stopgap solution. Chimney Rock’s proposed recovery work includes relocating displaced businesses, restoring the riverfront, and creating new public spaces that will serve residents and visitors alike.

View the Plan

Building Back Better—With Purpose

Recovery isn’t about replicating the past. It’s about building something more sustainable, more resilient, and more reflective of the community’s values. In Chimney Rock, this meant integrating recreation with restoration, supporting infill development while protecting character, and ensuring the river—the town’s most iconic feature—is also one of its most powerful assets for economic revitalization.

The concept of “raising the rock” isn’t just about lifting up a single place. It’s about showing what’s possible when you pair design thinking with local vision and strategic support.

Why Disaster Recovery Needs Designers and Planners

First Responders and Emergency Managers handle the immediate crisis. Planners and Designers shape what happens next.

We bring:

Vision—to see what’s possible, not just what’s broken
Structure—to organize complex partnerships and funding sources
Creativity—to reimagine spaces that attract investment and people
Empathy—to help communities heal and define their future together

The challenges are real, but so is the opportunity.

Is Your Town Ready to Rebuild with Intention?

If your community is working through a natural disaster, flood, or economic disruption, we’re here to help. You don’t have to go it alone—and you don’t have to settle for a band-aid fix.

We’ll help you recover in a way that: