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Community and Economic Development Toolbox: Enhancing Downtown's Sense of Place Page 2 of 5 <br /> of place: <br /> • 1. Downtown is distinct from other commercial <br /> settings. <br /> A distinctive place embodies a character, look, flavor, and <br /> heritage that are not found in other locations, especially <br /> within the surrounding region. To best enhance its distinct <br /> qualities, a downtown should build upon its intrinsic historic, <br /> economic, natural and cultural amenities. It should also <br /> strengthen, integrate, and promote the following seven <br /> elements, few of which are found in commercial settings <br /> erected over the past few decades. <br /> 2. The downtown, and its sense of place, has evolved <br /> over time. <br /> A downtown's sense of place was not created at a single point <br /> in time. It has evolved to represent multiple generations. <br /> Communities change over time economically, socially and <br /> culturally, and downtowns are better able than most places to <br /> reflect that in their built environment. <br /> 3. Downtown represents the unique heritage of the <br /> • community. <br /> A sense of place is closely associated with the degree to which <br /> individuals can connect to a locale in terms of their own <br /> experiences and those of their family and community. The <br /> downtown, more than any other place in most cities, reflects <br /> much of the heritage and experiences of a broad spectrum of <br /> people. <br /> 4. Downtown is multifunctional. <br /> Downtowns provide a greater range of functions than any <br /> other location in the region. A single downtown may serve as <br /> a place for employment, shopping,worship,tourism, housing, <br /> government services, dining, entertainment, lodging and <br /> cultural attractions. <br /> Multiple functions give a wider variety of users a reason to <br /> visit downtown. Not only does this help to enhance activity <br /> levels throughout the day and week,but it also creates more <br /> stakeholders for the district. More functions will result in <br /> more people including the downtown as an important place <br /> within their overall sphere of activity. <br /> 5. Downtown is pedestrian friendly. <br /> http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/cd toolbox_2/tools/sense_of place.cfin 6/21/2002 <br />