Amid another sweltering summer, downtown leaders are wondering how they can create some relief for downtown visitors. One solution is to look to the past when colorful awnings shaded both storefronts and pedestrians.
Among other benefits, awnings or canopies create an inviting space in front of a downtown building. They provides shade, shelter, and a resting place where pedestrians can pause and get out of the flow of traffic.
The National Park Service notes that owners of historic buildings are rediscovering awnings. “Local main street preservation programs encouraging — and in some cases funding — rehabilitation work have helped spur the awning’s return. Continued concerns over energy efficiency have also persuaded building owners and developers to use awnings to reduce heat gain, glare, and cooling costs. Because awnings were so common until the mid-twentieth century, they are visually appropriate for many historic buildings, unlike some other means of energy conservation.”
More on the benefits of awnings appears in the pages of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. Click below to learn more about Downtown Idea Exchange and other resources for revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors.