Residents work to slow traffic in their neighborhoods. Tactical urbanism was once an edgy concept. It called for urban guerillas to ignore the usual bureaucracy and take matters into their own hands with pop-up attractions and hastily installed public art. Turns out the idea was so good that major cities are making tactical urbanism part…To read more — login/subscribe
In most downtowns, crime prevention efforts focus on such things as a visible police presence, private security patrols, and graffiti clean-up crews. But a number of cities are turning to a solution known as crime prevention through environmental design, or CPTED. In contrast to traditional hardening measures, CPTED focuses instead on visually pleasing solutions that…To read more — login/subscribe
Hoboken, NJ (est. pop. 59149), is awash in public art. One of the city’s most popular programs is the summertime event known as Through the Windows Art Walk, which transforms much of the downtown into a vibrant art gallery. Visitors are invited to stroll through downtown and to scan QR codes on storefront stickers to…To read more — login/subscribe
Gunnison, CO (est. pop. 6,821), is taking steps to increase housing density by allowing more accessory dwelling units and removing residential lot size requirements. During a series of public open houses, the small city heard residents who were eager for such alternative development styles as accessory dwelling units, apartments for seniors, clustered cottages, mobile home…To read more — login/subscribe
Since 2023, Maryville, MO (est. pop. 10,556), has used a Saturday morning farmer’s market to boost downtown vibrancy and support local entrepreneurs. “Past attempts to organize a farmers market struggled with location, engagement, and long-term vision. Downtown had a low vacancy rate but needed to generate more foot traffic,” DeAnn Davison, executive director of Downtown…To read more — login/subscribe
Night markets are coming alive after dusk in cities across North America. These bustling open-air markets originated in Asia, where they became a fundamental part of urban nightlife. Today, they are expanding to North America particularly in cities with diverse immigrant populations. These new night markets showcase everything from global cuisine and local crafts to…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown organizations of all types are successfully supporting their work with grants from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as corporate, private, family, and community foundations. A 2010 survey of Downtown Idea Exchange readers found that 30 percent of respondents took advantage of government grants, while another 23 percent took advantage of foundation or…To read more — login/subscribe
Scavenger hunt blends old and new Photo scavenger hunts exploded in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hunts provided a reason to go downtown, explore, and discover while safely distancing outdoors. But photo scavenger hunts were a downtown marketing staple long before lock-downs began. For example, in the early teens, history buffs and downtown fans…To read more — login/subscribe
The Downtown Plainfield logo is easily adapted to street poles and other uses. In Plainfield, NJ (est. pop. 54,515), the downtown organization has been reimagining its name, its image, and its mission. In a move aimed to make the group’s role clearer to the public, the Plainfield Special Improvement District renamed itself Downtown Plainfield. And…To read more — login/subscribe
