Creating beautiful public spaces is crucial to improving sense of community, according to urban designers looking to revitalize the Mississippi town of Tupelo.
"Make no mistake -- this isn't, as Miller puts it, as 'frilly' as it may sound to some. The role of beautiful public spaces, and visual appeal in general, in the social and economic enhancement of communities these days is well-documented. They produce safer, more attractive places for people to live and work in an era in which the look, feel and quality of life of a city are critical to attracting residents and businesses."
"'Safer' is a word that may not come to mind with talk of improving the appearance of public spaces, but Miller's experience in New York bears it out."
"The parts of the city she has beautified through well-designed and maintained year-round plantings have helped reduce crime, bring people together and enhance the value of declining neighborhoods."
"What invites crime are neglected or deteriorating public spaces that signal nobody cares. Beautified spaces, on the other hand, elevate people and their expectations of themselves. 'People rise to the occasion and take care of a place that's for them,' Miller told her Tupelo audience."
FULL STORY: LLOYD GRAY:Beauty in public spaces heightens community draw
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie