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Community and Economic Development Toolbox: Enhancing Downtown's Sense of Place Page 4 of 5 <br /> Widely used amenities include: <br /> • • Brick pavers to make sidewalks look more distinctive; <br /> • Street trees to soften the environment and provide color <br /> and shade; <br /> • Human-scale street lights for enhanced aesthetics and <br /> illumination; <br /> • Banners and flags to make the district look more festive <br /> and colorful; and <br /> • Benches to give people a place to sit, rest, and watch <br /> what goes on around them. <br /> Taking advantage of the waterfront. Water is a <br /> powerful draw and can help instill a strong sense of place. <br /> Two important principles underscore effective downtown <br /> waterfronts. First, cities must provide clear pedestrian <br /> linkages between the commercial core and the water. Second, <br /> public access is essential. The design of waterfront buildings <br /> and open spaces must make it easy to get to and view the <br /> water. <br /> Providing and enhancing open spaces. Open spaces <br /> . are important to a downtown's sense of place. They <br /> encourage people to linger by providing a place for them to <br /> sit, relax, read, engage in conversation, and just contemplate <br /> life. Besides supplying the district with much-needed <br /> vegetation and shade, open spaces can also accommodate <br /> community gatherings. <br /> Kindling community pride. A strong sense of place <br /> cannot be created overnight, nor can it be the result of one <br /> major project or initiative. With the assistance of a vision and <br /> plan that incorporates the elements of place described in this <br /> article, a downtown can achieve a strong sense of place <br /> through the convergence of numerous projects and efforts, <br /> many of which are small scale.A distinctive commercial <br /> district is the sum of many coordinated, individual initiatives. <br /> America's main streets have the unique opportunity to tap <br /> into the collective memories, experiences, and activities of <br /> many individuals. Even though people will continue to <br /> patronize big-box discounters and suburban shopping malls, <br /> they will feel little sense of ownership at these locations.A <br /> distinctive main street becomes much more than a utilitarian <br /> place of business; it is a place where people can find meaning, <br /> enjoyment and community pride. <br /> http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/cd toolbox_2/tools/sense_of place.cfin 6/21/2002 <br />