30 Ideas in 30 Days
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| Trees enhance the life of an active public space. Credit: Project for Public Spaces. |
Most cities recognize that trees are good, though relatively few are willing to pay properly for them. Jeff Speck in Walkable City claims street trees are related to improvements in property values and retail viability. Some transportation seek to eliminate trees altogether, positing that sidewalks are recovery zones where cars that have jumped off the street can regain their control. This is reckless and dangerous not just for pedestrians but also for drivers themselves. In a funny sort of way these wide open spaces invite more reckless driving and lead to more frequent and deadly crashes. In a study in Toronto it was found that streets with street trees compared to streets without had a 5 to 20% lower likelihood of crashes. Another benefits of trees is keeping temperatures lower and diminishing the heat island effect on city streets.
Picking appropriate trees for the location and climate is important. Trees that double as bushes, such as crepe myrtles and spruce pines do not have the same advantages as fully grown mature trees. Even despite the threat of pandemics that wipe out trees of a single species, planting trees of the same species in a row helps to promote a visual consistency that give streets a distinct sense of character.
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| Trees added during a Better Block event in Kansas City, Missouri. Credit: Team Better Block. |
Managing the Event
- #1: Think Incrementally
- #2: Build a Better Block
- #3: Encourage Public Participation
- #4: Temporary to Permanent
- #5: Pre-Vitalization
- #6: Leverage the Power of the Crowd
- #7: Raise the Funds You'll Need
- #8: The Strength of Main Street
- #9: Sidewalk Stencils and Signs
- #10: Blackmail Yourself
Welcoming People
- #11 The Power of 10
- #12 Walk [Your City]
- #13 Mobile Vendors
- #14 Food Trucks and Carts
- #15 Plant Trees
- #16 Cover Up Blank Walls
- #17 Free Library
- #18 Pop-up Parks
- #19 Pop-Up Shops
- #20 Temporary Improvements Encourage Historic Preservation Planning
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