The urbanism lesson in Dolly Parton’s Dollywood

When beloved country star Dolly Parton died on August 25, she left behind not only albums, accolades, and mourning fans, but also an entire urban project where her legacy lives on—not just as a faint memory, but as a tangible transformation of Tennessee. “She’s alive and well here,” Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, said in an emotional message posted to Instagram and TikTok. “We are all gonna keep her alive here,” he continued, calling Parton “our dreamer in chief.” For fans of the singer, the park is a go-to destination. And for thrill-seekers, its roller coasters are a must-ride. But beyond the touristy attractions, Dollywood’s success is rooted in something deeper—it serves as a tribute to the region’s heritage, Parton’s glitz, and her devotion to the locals. The theme park transformed a city, becoming a lesson in how entertainment-oriented development can help shape a thriving community when done right. ca. 1997 [Photo: Leon Morris/Redferns/Getty Images] In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just a 15-minute ride from Parton’s hometown, the singer created Dollywood. Though many doubted the project in the beginning, it has become one of the most popular theme park…