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Community and Economic Development Toolbox: Pedestian-Friendly Cities Page 3 of 4 <br /> buildings closer to the street. <br /> • Pay special attention to downtown. Cities with <br /> downtowns are fortunate to possess a ready-made pedestrian <br /> destination. To make the most of this asset, cities should pay <br /> special attention to the quality of the pedestrian environment <br /> on main street. A city that is serious about implementing the <br /> above recommendations should start downtown. <br /> Moreover, several other downtown-specific guidelines need <br /> to be heeded. Parking lots and ramps should be located on <br /> the edges of downtown to not impede pedestrian movement. <br /> Pedestrian-only linkages should be provided between parking <br /> lots and the main streets. Large setbacks and blank walled <br /> buildings should be avoided.Attractive building facades - <br /> ideally with eye-catching window displays - should be <br /> encouraged through design guidelines and/or low-interest <br /> revolving loan funds. <br /> Both rural and metropolitan municipalities can enhance the <br /> quality of life for their residents by applying some of these <br /> recommendations. One overarching recommendation is to <br /> incorporate a strong pedestrian-oriented component into the <br /> • city's next comprehensive plan update. This emphasis will <br /> help ensure that future generations will enjoy the benefits of <br /> living in a more sustainable and pedestrian-friendly city. <br /> Kent Robertson, Ph.D., is Professor and Director of <br /> Community Development at St. Cloud State <br /> University (Minnesota). He has published more than 20 <br /> professional articles on downtown development,been a <br /> keynote speaker at several state and national conferences, <br /> and assisted communities with their downtown development <br /> efforts through facilitating visioning sessions (Marinette, <br /> Wisconsin; St. Cloud, Minnesota), conducting workshops <br /> (Yonkers, New York; Wausau,Wisconsin; Hartford, <br /> Wisconsin), and leading community forums (Jonesboro, <br /> Arkansas; Anoka, Minnesota). <br /> For the entire reprint of this article (including bibliography), <br /> please go to: <br /> Center for Community Economic Development <br /> • University of Wisconsin - Extension <br /> For more information: <br /> http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/cd toolbox_2/tools/ped_friendly_cities.cfin 6/21/2002 <br />