A New Streetscape Can Create a Sense of Place

Streetscape, which typically is funded by the local government, often is regarded as a way for the public sector to contribute to the revitalization of a business district. Streetscape technically could be anything between the edge of the curb, if there is one, to the private property line. Sidewalks, street benches, landscaping, street lighting, and business district amenities all may comprise part of the streetscape.

After several experiences of planning, constructing, and watching the results of such a program, I'd say it's best to regard it as icing on the cake, rather than the main event.

Streetscapes Include Sidewalk, Benches, Landscaping, Signs, Lighting, and Amenities

A streetscape program then may include replacing the sidewalk, often incorporating a new color or pattern into the concrete. Sometimes also to make the street more pedestrian-friendly, the sidewalk is extended further into the street at the ends of the blocks, thereby shortening the distance the pedestrian has to travel from curb to curb. These may be called bulb-outs, or a variety of other terms.

Beware of exquisitely detailed sidewalk patterns, as it may be a very difficult process to make the pattern look right at each doorway. That's not to discourage you from a geometric pattern, but just beware that issues of store and office entranceways require a considerable amount of planning and coordination with property owners. And even then, it's possible that the design simply doesn't mesh very well with the established doorway.

Use of paver stones, whether real or synthetic, as accents also might be incorporated into the sidewalk. Often the curb is left its natural gray concrete color, with the actual sidewalk taking on a different hue. Glitter may be mixed into the concrete for entertainment areas, and many colors of concrete are possible. It's best to mix the concrete color or additive all the way through the mix rather than apply a thin veneer on the top. It's also possible to obtain striking color effects with asphalt these days, and you might want to try mid-intersection logos or place-relevant patterns.

Beyond that, you want to add to the pedestrian's comfort as much as possible. If you have hot weather days where you live, you'll want to provide some shade. Street trees are ready-made for this, although if you intend on their giving shade, they need to be selected to have a shape that offers a canopy. Columnar shapes don't provide much shade.

Order trees as large as your nurseryman thinks practical, and as large as you can afford. Twigs don't impress people too much. Also any supportive tree rings, which prevent the small tree from being snapped off, and your tree grates, which allow watering to reach the roots, should be carefully thought out to match or complement the material you are using on your benches and other elements of the streetscape.

The other benefit of street trees and landscaping is that they provide a welcome bit of unpredictability. Organic shapes from plants offer infinite variety and provide curvaceous lines, stubborn imperfection, and glorious color. Plan for year-round color, by the way, from foliage or woody shrubs if not from flowers.

Also consider very strongly whether foot traffic, dogs, road salt, and pollution from cars will damage any landscaping you plan. And avoid monoculture, the practice of planting all one species. The reason is that if disease strikes, then you might be left with no street trees, for example.

Consider carefully what happens to the trees in various seasons. You don't want the street department to complain for two solid months about the pods, seeds, and leaves they have to clean up. I'm not saying the trees must be evergreen, but be careful with the type of leaf sweeping operation you're creating for yourself. And that those beautiful flowers in spring? Do they fall off and make a slimy mess on the sidewalk when they're past their prime?

If all of these cautions about street trees discourage you, another shade possibility is an awning or shade structure in a tiny vacant space. You also could have a splash fountain for the kids or a place for the grown-ups to dabble their feet in the water.

Now to the matter of seating. Make the benches sturdy and serviceable, because if you install something that can be easily stolen, vandalized, set fire to, or otherwise rendered inoperable, it's only a matter of time before that happens. Make sure the seating is as comfortable as possible, given that it's likely going to be metal.

Arrange benches in a pattern that will be comfortable for users. In other words, think about how close would be too close to be sitting across from or next to strangers. Also consider carefully how close people want to sit to fast-moving traffic, even if they are objectively safe beyond the curb.

A few places have been inventive and created sidewalk pavers that look like a rug between two facing benches. So let your creativity soar for awhile, and then bring it back down to earth with brainstorming all the possible downsides to your plan.

If your area might become a homeless hangout, or already is one, consider installing the benches where they are divider arms, so that a person cannot lie down on the bench to sleep.

Where there are benches, there will be potato chip bags and such, so plan for trash receptacles and for their emptying. Consult with those who have to empty them before you choose a design. You may want to have a trash can on a corner even if there is no bench. You don't want wrappers and receipts blowing around your business area.

Another amenity to consider is the bicycle rack. If you have the kind of community where people feel safe on their bikes, you can encourage that drop-in for a cold beverage or a cup of coffee if there's a reasonable place to leave a bike.

Again depending on climate you may need to install a drinking fountain. In some neighborhoods, the kind with the low bowl for dogs is popular. But only if you want to encourage dog walking in that particular location.

New street lights often are included with a streetscape program, as wiring can easily be installed or moved to accommodate the new bases when the sidewalks are torn up. There are many looks available in street lighting, so be very mindful of adding to the ambiance you're trying to create. Don't do "plain old" if you're installing new, but if you're in a breezy, casual newer suburb, I don't want to see period lights from the 19th century.

Sometimes street departments will insist that the old, higher lights, which are designed to give light to passing motorists, need to remain in place. If so, you can work around that, but you still may want some lower lighting to illuminate your sidewalk or storefronts better. Work with the lighting salesperson.

As you're considering streetscape, look at your signs and awnings again also. Attractive signs to help visitors find their way around are always welcome, as are signs pointing out historic sites, important government offices, and parking. If you want to give the history of your downtown or other district, you can find attractive interpretive signs with vandalism-resistant coverings to explain your history. You aren't limited to brass plaques. These signs would be oriented toward pedestrians rather than drivers.

If you're interested in a common signage program, where each business has a small perpendicular sign of a common size extending out from its front door, for instance, this is the time to implement that program. Uniform awning programs will be synergistic with new streetscape too.

If your community is interested in rain gardens or grassy swales, as opposed to routing stormwater directly along a curb and into an inlet system, your streetscape program definitely could include such improvements. The rain gardens (consisting of plants that enjoy being very wet or flooded) or swale, a depressed area ideally planted with water-loving grasses, filter out the sediment and some pollutants from the stormwater. Also they slow down the water, which decreases velocity, leading to less damage from any flooding that might occur.

During your streetscape program, you also might want to consider public restrooms if that is a need in your town. If you go to the expense of making them available and maintaining them, give us a discreet sign every once in a while to show where they are.

Substitutes for New Streetscape

If you investigate the choices and feel that your community can't afford any of the options, look carefully at some plain wood garden benches, that can be backed up to the storefronts and bolted down. Also check into large potted plants that can hold annuals. Something inexpensive such as petunias still will add color, motion, and vitality. And if you must color your sidewalk, maybe three times a year you have a chalk painting contest and become famous for it.

And keep in mind that I'd rather see a vital business district, where people are continuously going in and out of shops, with a plain old gray concrete sidewalk, than a dead business district with an artful streetscape. Because people are the very best ingredient for adding color, motion, unpredictability, and interest to your street!

Another benefit of doing nothing is that a streetscape program, in which the sidewalk is replaced, street trees are planted where there were none before, and so forth, disrupts the business district for as much as a whole season. Can your businesses afford to alienate their clientele for two to five months while you pretty up the place? By that time, customers might have found another place to buy a cup of coffee.

If you decide to move forward with the streetscape, plan very carefully how you will provide for safety underfoot for pedestrians, and an understandable system of showing them where it is safe to drive, park, and walk. Make a catchy slogan for your streetscape program and keep emphasizing how great it's going to be when it's finished.

Then live up to your promises.

Return from Streetscape to Beautification