Sense of Place |
Communities that maintain and enhance their unique sense of place offer better quality of life for residents and visitors. Environments with a strong sense of place are distinctive. They've got personality. They connect residents and visitors with what is unique about their setting and history. These places tell you stories; they invite you to linger and learn about landform, soil and climate, about what good food is produced locally. They tell you about the people that live there, what they've done with there lives, and what they think is important. Streets and walkways play an important part in making this connection. Too much or the wrong kind of development can undermine what makes a community a good place to live or visit. It is much easier to pre-plan and have regulations in place before rapid growth occurs. Great places to live, work and visit rarely happen by accident. Management of highways and adjoining land can enhance sense of place and community. Driving threw town is part of a visitors first impression of the town and quality of life of the residents. First impressions matter. In the picture below the huge oak tree at the edge of a small town announces the entry and creates an attractive focal point. Other options to mark a community include columns, fountains, large stones and arches. Well designed road features, such as stone retaining wall, distinctive informational signs, attractive bridges and outdoor light standards can transform dull streets into something special. Attention should be given to side walks and bike ways. These help enhance the streets and create flow patters and points of interest. When one understands what makes a town special, it greatly expands the pleasure of living there or visiting. Town myths, history and heroes; rocks, plants and wildlife can be identified and interpreted in ways that are fun, imaginative and often interactive. Walkways and bike ways often take advantage of the beauty of the area. They often lead somewhere and have a sense of arrival. It is becoming more common to connect adjoining communities with these trails. Waterways and bridges are often incorporated in these byways. Below is a list of urban spaces that can be manipulated to establish a positive sense of space
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Figure #1-San Antonio's river walk is the most visited destination in Texas.
Figure #3-Whistler, B.C.--A community that designed and built a sense of place in less than a decade.
Figure #2-Taxco, Mexico--Sense of Place grew organically over hundreds of years.
Figure #4-Anywhere in America
Figure #5-State Bear Guarding Entrance to Klamath River Bridge, Calif.
Figure #6-Good side walks and parking.
Figure #8-Ashland Oregon |
Design: |
The overall sense of place will be accomplished by resolving issues in a manner that will give the community a vision:
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