by Julie Fitzpatrick
This year’s conference theme is all about Design, but we’re approaching it from all directions. Typically when we think of design in terms of Main Street or Elm Street revitalization, façade improvement projects and historic preservation immediately comes to mind, but we will be looking at additional downtown or neighborhood physical improvements including: streetscapes, transportation connections, public spaces, public art, walkable and bikeable communities, and how appropriate zoning and land use can positively guide these projects.
In addition, we know that our grandparent’s communities are not our communities – that we need to consider how people live and move, and how those activities are changing. We need to consider designing for the future – from creating Smart Cities, and reinventing our parking “challenges”, to identifying ways to integrate new approaches, new ideas, new values, and new cultures into our communities.
Our authentic and unique characteristics are often what sets us apart from other communities.
This isn’t to say that historic preservation will be ignored. Our authentic and unique characteristics are often what sets us apart from other communities. The stories we have to tell of our cultural heritage, the people who have made our communities what they are today – from our deep and varied industrial, agricultural, and manufacturing heritage is still being celebrated today – as we add our own 21st Century twists to the events and celebrations that many of our Main Street and Elm Street communities revel in today.
Our towns and cities continue to “look” differently. In many places, we have our own form of reverse urban renewal. Places where the personality-less monoliths of the 1960’s and 70’s are being modified, or demolished to make way for parks, plazas and other public green spaces, infill buildings that fit into the vernacular and cadence of the streetscape, and pedestrian and bike-friendly corridors. It’s these places that help to create social interactions, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic means to create a greater interconnected community. We will continue the ongoing dialogue of diversity, inclusion, and interconnectedness during the conference this year.
Yes, the concept of DESIGN is more than buildings. It is more about the people and how we are use the buildings, streets, sidewalks, public and private spaces of our cities, towns and neighborhoods. DESIGN is beyond the structures.