Every week we share an article summary from Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. Over the course of the year we’ve covered everything from business recruitment, to streetscape improvements, to placemaking, and more.
To wrap up the year, we’re highlighting five of our most popular posts. Creative, informative, and adaptable, they showcase some of the best work in downtown revitalization across North America.
You may read them now along with all of the 2023 posts.
And to receive the full story each month, subscribe to Downtown Idea Exchange. Order by January 11 to save 20% — Just use code “New Year.”
The top 5 are:
1. Creating a pipeline of start-up businesses
Downtowns large and small grapple with the challenge of building a roster of successful merchants. Norfolk, VA, has taken a proactive approach by offering pop-up spaces and kiosks for start-ups seeking a place to do business without a prohibitive upfront investment. Learn more ….
2. Collecting and using visitor data
Once used primarily in large cities, advanced location data is providing event planning and business recruitment insights to smaller downtowns such as Tybee Island, GA, and Chapel Hill, NC. Learn more ….
3. Improving pedestrian safety with asphalt art
Louisville, KY, will use public art to improve pedestrian safety at four downtown intersections. The project was inspired by the Asphalt Art Safety Study which found that asphalt art led to a 50 percent drop in crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists. Learn more ….
4. Using food trucks to combat crime
Albuquerque, NM, is trying a novel approach to quelling crime in a problematic area downtown: It’s creating food-truck corrals that will operate on Friday and Saturday nights. Learn more ….
5. Retaining and nuturing “legacy” businesses
Legacy businesses embody a community’s character, create unique experiences, and serve as inspiration for other business owners. That’s the motivation behind a new wave of “legacy” business programs. Learn more ….