Anyone who thinks that the future of mid-size towns is bleak should take a trip across northern Oregon--from Pendleton to Astoria with a stop along the way at Hood River.
Andrew Nelson's article tells a story about cities that are finding new life and a resurgence of energy and excitement. (National Geographic Traveler, September 2006, p. 79)
Pendleton--population 17,000
"Traditional Pendleton products are getting a fresh look and Pendleton Mill's signature blankets are find new buyers."
Why not move?
"We stay in Pendleton because our roots are here."
Hood River--population 6500
"...Hood River used to be just a fruit-growing center and windsurfing spot...Now it has become its own lifestyle ...it has become a capital of extreme sports..."
Astoria--population 10,000
"...the first permanent U.S. settlement on the western coast. Named for John Jacob Astor whose fur trading company built Fort Astoria here in 1811...Its mainstay industry, fishing, experienced serious setbacks in the 1990s...Instead of blowing away, it recycled itself..."
Why?
"People restore in Astoria partly because their Scandanavian heritage makes them thrifty," says historic-building consultant John Goodenberger. "We also restore because more and more of us have realized our older structures are one of the city's greatest assets. It is recycling on a large scale."
What was said about Astoria seems to be true about all three of those towns--and many four- and five-figure cities across America.
They are "rebooting by transforming their townscapes."
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Daily Blog: Leipzig--Past and Present
The people of Leipzig are bold in their beliefs.
"The fall of Communist Germany began early in October 1989, when 70,000 people gathered at St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig to protest the repressions of the regime...By October 16, the number had grown to 120,000. A week later it was 320,000. On November 9, the Berlin Wall came down. The citizens of Leipzig had created the critical mass that began a tidal wave and changed the future of Europe."
G.Y. Dryansky describes the resurgence of tis city in East Germany where "neither the Nazis nor the Communists could erase its illustrious history nor snuff out its creative culture."
Click here to read more: http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/500771
"Nowadays, Leipzig spends about $135 million a year on cultural affairs." That's a sizable investment for a population of just over 500,000. Such a per capita investment makes a statement about priorities no matter the city's size.
Perhaps, its heritage provides an insight: "The city's luminaries have included Goethe, Wagner, Mendelssohn, Mahler, Schumann and Nietzsche."
And..."No other German city has a deputy mayor specifically for culture."
"The fall of Communist Germany began early in October 1989, when 70,000 people gathered at St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig to protest the repressions of the regime...By October 16, the number had grown to 120,000. A week later it was 320,000. On November 9, the Berlin Wall came down. The citizens of Leipzig had created the critical mass that began a tidal wave and changed the future of Europe."
G.Y. Dryansky describes the resurgence of tis city in East Germany where "neither the Nazis nor the Communists could erase its illustrious history nor snuff out its creative culture."
Click here to read more: http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/500771
"Nowadays, Leipzig spends about $135 million a year on cultural affairs." That's a sizable investment for a population of just over 500,000. Such a per capita investment makes a statement about priorities no matter the city's size.
Perhaps, its heritage provides an insight: "The city's luminaries have included Goethe, Wagner, Mendelssohn, Mahler, Schumann and Nietzsche."
And..."No other German city has a deputy mayor specifically for culture."
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Daily Blog: Huntsville--A Hero's Home
Sam Houston holds the distinction of being the only man to serve as governor of two states--Tennessee and Texas.
But there is one town he considered his home--and Huntsville, Texas built a 67-foot statue of Sam Houston on Interstate 45 to confirm that connection.
For anyone interested in the story of Sam Houston, a visit to Huntsville (population 35, 078) would include:
But there is one town he considered his home--and Huntsville, Texas built a 67-foot statue of Sam Houston on Interstate 45 to confirm that connection.
For anyone interested in the story of Sam Houston, a visit to Huntsville (population 35, 078) would include:
- The Sam Houston Memorial Museum -- "home to the largest collection of Houston artifacts anywhere."
- "Houston's beloved Woodland Home, where he lived with his wife, Margaret Lea Houston, and most of his eight children."
- "Oakwood Cemetery,where an impressive marble monument of the hero on horseback replaced a simple gravestone in 1911."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Daily Blog: Clayton, California
The San Francisco Chronicle recently saluted the town of Clayton, California:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail?entry_id=43559
Clayton, population 11,000, made it on the Money Magazine list of 100 Best Small American Towns:
"Clayton is a favorite spot for telecommuters; many residents work from home and go into their San Francisco offices once or twice a week. Home sales have remained high as buyers take advantage of falling real estate prices: million-dollar homes are now on the market for half that."
The Chronicle added its own tribute and noted that a recent stabbing was the first murder in Clayton since 1995.
So Clayton, California offers Bay Area residents a chance to experience a mid-sized city. It provides reasonable real estate, a decent economy and safe streets. If folks need to, they can get to Oakland or San Francisco to experience the big city. But most people seem quite happy enjoying the slower pace of Clayton.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail?entry_id=43559
Clayton, population 11,000, made it on the Money Magazine list of 100 Best Small American Towns:
"Clayton is a favorite spot for telecommuters; many residents work from home and go into their San Francisco offices once or twice a week. Home sales have remained high as buyers take advantage of falling real estate prices: million-dollar homes are now on the market for half that."
The Chronicle added its own tribute and noted that a recent stabbing was the first murder in Clayton since 1995.
So Clayton, California offers Bay Area residents a chance to experience a mid-sized city. It provides reasonable real estate, a decent economy and safe streets. If folks need to, they can get to Oakland or San Francisco to experience the big city. But most people seem quite happy enjoying the slower pace of Clayton.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Daily Blog: Baseball in the Hamptons
The city of Sag Harbor, New York is home to 2000 residents and one brand new baseball league:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/nyregion/25metjournal.html
Sag Harbor is located in the Hamptons--a tony coastal area where New York City's elite spend their weekends. But Sag Harbor and other towns in the Hamptons recently inaugurated Hamptons Collegiate Baseball, "a summer league that is bringing the foul balls and dirt-stained uniforms that come with the game to a place better known for its celebrities, glamorous fund-raisers and crisp polo shirts."
According to the article:
“'We’re the Hamptons, and we have plenty of cachet to go with that reputation, but at the root of it, we’re small towns with year-round populations,' said Rusty Leaver, the league’s founder and owner of Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk. 'This is bringing Iowa to the Hamptons.'”
The goal of the league is to use these baseball games to create a "sense of community." And it seems to be working:
"Robert Cleary of Sag Harbor comes almost every Sunday with his 7-year-old son, Dillon, who sings 'God Bless America' with a group of children during the game. Dillon also goes to a Sunday morning clinic that many of the players — who are regarded like rock stars by the town’s youths — put on to teach baseball fundamentals."
So even after the celebrities return to New York, small cities like Sag Harbor will still have their baseball league and their sense of community.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/nyregion/25metjournal.html
Sag Harbor is located in the Hamptons--a tony coastal area where New York City's elite spend their weekends. But Sag Harbor and other towns in the Hamptons recently inaugurated Hamptons Collegiate Baseball, "a summer league that is bringing the foul balls and dirt-stained uniforms that come with the game to a place better known for its celebrities, glamorous fund-raisers and crisp polo shirts."
According to the article:
“'We’re the Hamptons, and we have plenty of cachet to go with that reputation, but at the root of it, we’re small towns with year-round populations,' said Rusty Leaver, the league’s founder and owner of Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk. 'This is bringing Iowa to the Hamptons.'”
The goal of the league is to use these baseball games to create a "sense of community." And it seems to be working:
"Robert Cleary of Sag Harbor comes almost every Sunday with his 7-year-old son, Dillon, who sings 'God Bless America' with a group of children during the game. Dillon also goes to a Sunday morning clinic that many of the players — who are regarded like rock stars by the town’s youths — put on to teach baseball fundamentals."
So even after the celebrities return to New York, small cities like Sag Harbor will still have their baseball league and their sense of community.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Weekly Column: Cambridge in the News
Pick up any newspaper, turn on any cable news network or visit any internet news site and one town will likely be front and center: Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A few days ago, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his house for disorderly conduct. Gates, an African-American, claimed he was arrested for being "black in America." The incident set off a firestorm of national controversy. In a nationally-televised press conference, President Obama said the police acted "stupidly" in making the arrest. Meanwhile, police groups have expressed outrage that the president would question the arresting officer. Even comedian Bill Cosby weighed in and said the president should wait to see what the investigation shows.
While Cambridge probably doesn't believe in the theory that there is no such thing as bad press, it likely will be happy when the controversy settles down. Despite the media coverage, Cambridge remains one of the great small cities in America.
The city of Cambridge is home to 101,000 residents and two world-class colleges. It began as "Newe Towne" when a group of puritan colonists began settling there in 1632. Over the years it grew and changed names, becoming "Cambridge." During the Industrial Revolution, the city grew to 120,000. But with the decline of its industrial base after World War II, the city fell back on its other anchor: higher education.
In 1636, Harvard was founded, making it the oldest college in America. Originally, it was called "New College." But when a clergyman named John Harvard bequethed his library to the school, the name was changed.
During the nearly four centuries of its existence, Harvard has transformed the way college education is conducted. Under the leadership of President Charles Eliot, the school became focused not only on teaching but on research. Electives were introduced, as well as entrance exams. All this soon became the model for other colleges around the country.
Over the years, the school has served as a crossroads of American history. Visitors taking tours of Harvard Yard today are told much of this history: John Adams lived in Massachusetts Hall, FDR's name is listed on the wall at Memorial Church and Matt Damon wrote the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting" while living in Matthews Hall. Students take classes in buildings like Emerson, named for the writer and Harvard professor Ralph Waldo Emerson. And when visitors stroll down to the Charles River, they do so on a street called JFK.
Today, Harvard is also one of the most powerful corporate entities in the world. It's endowment is estimated to be the world's third largest among non-profits, behind only The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Catholic Church.
Just beyond Harvard Yard is Harvard Square. Here, visitors can explore shops and restaurants. One local institution is Mr. Bartley's, a hamburger place that has been serving Harvard students since the mid 1960s. It's not far from the Wadsworth House, where George Washington established his first headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
Two stops away on the subway is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT was founded in the 1960s in response to the growing industrial revolution. For years, it has produced some of the world's greatest scientists and engineers and continues to do so today.
So while the controversy over Henry Louis Gates continues, it seems likely that once it dies down Cambridge will still be in the news. Only then it will be for all that is good about Cambridge.
A few days ago, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his house for disorderly conduct. Gates, an African-American, claimed he was arrested for being "black in America." The incident set off a firestorm of national controversy. In a nationally-televised press conference, President Obama said the police acted "stupidly" in making the arrest. Meanwhile, police groups have expressed outrage that the president would question the arresting officer. Even comedian Bill Cosby weighed in and said the president should wait to see what the investigation shows.
While Cambridge probably doesn't believe in the theory that there is no such thing as bad press, it likely will be happy when the controversy settles down. Despite the media coverage, Cambridge remains one of the great small cities in America.
The city of Cambridge is home to 101,000 residents and two world-class colleges. It began as "Newe Towne" when a group of puritan colonists began settling there in 1632. Over the years it grew and changed names, becoming "Cambridge." During the Industrial Revolution, the city grew to 120,000. But with the decline of its industrial base after World War II, the city fell back on its other anchor: higher education.
In 1636, Harvard was founded, making it the oldest college in America. Originally, it was called "New College." But when a clergyman named John Harvard bequethed his library to the school, the name was changed.
During the nearly four centuries of its existence, Harvard has transformed the way college education is conducted. Under the leadership of President Charles Eliot, the school became focused not only on teaching but on research. Electives were introduced, as well as entrance exams. All this soon became the model for other colleges around the country.
Over the years, the school has served as a crossroads of American history. Visitors taking tours of Harvard Yard today are told much of this history: John Adams lived in Massachusetts Hall, FDR's name is listed on the wall at Memorial Church and Matt Damon wrote the screenplay for "Good Will Hunting" while living in Matthews Hall. Students take classes in buildings like Emerson, named for the writer and Harvard professor Ralph Waldo Emerson. And when visitors stroll down to the Charles River, they do so on a street called JFK.
Today, Harvard is also one of the most powerful corporate entities in the world. It's endowment is estimated to be the world's third largest among non-profits, behind only The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Catholic Church.
Just beyond Harvard Yard is Harvard Square. Here, visitors can explore shops and restaurants. One local institution is Mr. Bartley's, a hamburger place that has been serving Harvard students since the mid 1960s. It's not far from the Wadsworth House, where George Washington established his first headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
Two stops away on the subway is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT was founded in the 1960s in response to the growing industrial revolution. For years, it has produced some of the world's greatest scientists and engineers and continues to do so today.
So while the controversy over Henry Louis Gates continues, it seems likely that once it dies down Cambridge will still be in the news. Only then it will be for all that is good about Cambridge.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Daily Blog: Ithaca, Rochester and Bismarck: Job Enhancements
According to an AARP survey, “70% of Americans ages 45 to 74 plan to postpone retirement – both because they enjoy working and they need the income.”
With the current nationwide reduction in jobs, the cities with recession-proof industries such as “healthcare, higher education, government” are most attractive.
Ten of the “best cities for job-seeking retirees” have been identified by U.S. News and World Report, May 2009, p. 42.
Included are 3 five-figure cities, each with a different appeal factor:
Ithaca, NY (population 30,000) – Higher Education – “At Cornell University . . . 43 percent of employees are age 50 or older. The university also offers perks that may appeal to older workers, such as health screening on campus, paid time off for caregiving responsibilities, and compressed workweeks.”
Rochester, MN (population 90,000) – Healthcare – “The Mayo Clinic employs more than 28,000 people. ‘You can work here forever if your body and mind are still intact’” says an employee who works half a year and takes off the other half.
Bismarck, ND (population 55,000) – Government – “Government jobs typically offer generous health and pension benefits, which many private companies have been slashing . . . State capitals are often prime spots to land a local, state, or federal government post.”
Jobs are always an important issue – in today’s climate, even more. As with Ithaca, Rochester and Bismarck, a city’s attractiveness is enhanced when its jobs are enhanced.
With the current nationwide reduction in jobs, the cities with recession-proof industries such as “healthcare, higher education, government” are most attractive.
Ten of the “best cities for job-seeking retirees” have been identified by U.S. News and World Report, May 2009, p. 42.
Included are 3 five-figure cities, each with a different appeal factor:
Ithaca, NY (population 30,000) – Higher Education – “At Cornell University . . . 43 percent of employees are age 50 or older. The university also offers perks that may appeal to older workers, such as health screening on campus, paid time off for caregiving responsibilities, and compressed workweeks.”
Rochester, MN (population 90,000) – Healthcare – “The Mayo Clinic employs more than 28,000 people. ‘You can work here forever if your body and mind are still intact’” says an employee who works half a year and takes off the other half.
Bismarck, ND (population 55,000) – Government – “Government jobs typically offer generous health and pension benefits, which many private companies have been slashing . . . State capitals are often prime spots to land a local, state, or federal government post.”
Jobs are always an important issue – in today’s climate, even more. As with Ithaca, Rochester and Bismarck, a city’s attractiveness is enhanced when its jobs are enhanced.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Daily Blog: The Assets of Bamberg
Raphael Kadushin’s article about his tour through the historic Franconia region of Germany contains an unexpected insight about a city’s assets.
The tour included stops in Wϋrzburg, Rothenburg, Bamberg and Nuremberg. For Kadushin the “treasure house is Bamberg, a World Heritage site that claims a stellar collection of medieval and baroque buildings.”
Bamberg (population 70,063) was not the largest city on the tour but “it is the spot where the beauty and exuberance of Franconia spill out of the landmarks and onto the streets.” Such a statement about a city describes a place where anyone would like to visit or live.
This cultural tour had been planned by London-based Martin Randall. Their motto provides an excellent beginning for a checklist of the assets of Bamberg or any other five-figure city: “Art, Architecture, Gastronomy, Archaeology, History, Music.”
To read more about the assets of Bamberg and the Franconia region see National Geographic Traveler, May/June 2009, page 92.
The tour included stops in Wϋrzburg, Rothenburg, Bamberg and Nuremberg. For Kadushin the “treasure house is Bamberg, a World Heritage site that claims a stellar collection of medieval and baroque buildings.”
Bamberg (population 70,063) was not the largest city on the tour but “it is the spot where the beauty and exuberance of Franconia spill out of the landmarks and onto the streets.” Such a statement about a city describes a place where anyone would like to visit or live.
This cultural tour had been planned by London-based Martin Randall. Their motto provides an excellent beginning for a checklist of the assets of Bamberg or any other five-figure city: “Art, Architecture, Gastronomy, Archaeology, History, Music.”
To read more about the assets of Bamberg and the Franconia region see National Geographic Traveler, May/June 2009, page 92.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Daily Blog: New Haven, Indiana
According to CNNMoney.com, if you live in New Haven, Indiana, you are living in one of the best small cities in America:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/moneymag/0906/gallery.bplive_affhomes.moneymag/2.html
CNNMoney.com praises New Haven as a place where a modest income can go a long way. But it also points out some of the smaller pleasures that New Haven offers. No, it doesn't have Yale University, like the other New Haven does. But it has a lot:
"New Haven residents enjoy the `walkability' of their town. Children can mostly walk to school, and area churches are easily accessible by foot. Downtown New Haven is only a few blocks long, but it offers a couple of restaurants, a furniture store, a barber shop, flower and design shops, and a high end jewelry store, to name a few. The town is especially proud of its library -- which was built just 5 years ago - and is usually bustling with community activities."
Some 12,000 residents make their home in New Haven. But it's growing. And with so much to offer, it's likely to grow even faster.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/moneymag/0906/gallery.bplive_affhomes.moneymag/2.html
CNNMoney.com praises New Haven as a place where a modest income can go a long way. But it also points out some of the smaller pleasures that New Haven offers. No, it doesn't have Yale University, like the other New Haven does. But it has a lot:
"New Haven residents enjoy the `walkability' of their town. Children can mostly walk to school, and area churches are easily accessible by foot. Downtown New Haven is only a few blocks long, but it offers a couple of restaurants, a furniture store, a barber shop, flower and design shops, and a high end jewelry store, to name a few. The town is especially proud of its library -- which was built just 5 years ago - and is usually bustling with community activities."
Some 12,000 residents make their home in New Haven. But it's growing. And with so much to offer, it's likely to grow even faster.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Daily Blog: Lehi, UT Rodeo
What do small cities in Utah have in common? For one thing, the rodeo:
http://www.sltrib.com/Sports/ci_12763615
Every summer, small cities in Utah host rodeo events that offer a glimpse at tomorrow's rodeo stars. These minor league rodeos are major league events to the folks in places like Lehi, Utah, population 19,000. The people unite together to put on a great rodeo. And the cowboys who participate in it know it. As one cowboy put it:
"But when you come to a place like Lehi, I mean, this is a community effort. Everybody gets involved. Everybody wants it to be successful. Everybody's demeanor is rodeo-driven. That makes small-town rodeos special."
Indeed, what Lehi is offering is more than a rodeo; it's offering a sense of community. Now that's something to hang your hat on.
http://www.sltrib.com/Sports/ci_12763615
Every summer, small cities in Utah host rodeo events that offer a glimpse at tomorrow's rodeo stars. These minor league rodeos are major league events to the folks in places like Lehi, Utah, population 19,000. The people unite together to put on a great rodeo. And the cowboys who participate in it know it. As one cowboy put it:
"But when you come to a place like Lehi, I mean, this is a community effort. Everybody gets involved. Everybody wants it to be successful. Everybody's demeanor is rodeo-driven. That makes small-town rodeos special."
Indeed, what Lehi is offering is more than a rodeo; it's offering a sense of community. Now that's something to hang your hat on.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Weekly Column: Regarding Boulder: Bicycles, Boundaries and Brunch
When an article is headlined, “This City Is Better than Yours” it has a tendency to grab your attention.
But the first paragraph begins with an impressive list of recognitions that Boulder, Colorado (population 94,000) has received: smartest city, thinnest city, best place for a runner, and “the top green city and clean city in the United States.”
The article continues by listing seven things one should know regarding Boulder. A sampling of three of the seven will be enough to make the point that the citizens of Boulder have indeed been bold in shaping a city on certain distinctives:
1. Bicycles – “The best way to explore Boulder is by bicycle (the number of bikes is nearly equal to the number of households, and they plow some major bike paths before roads when it snows).”
2. Boundaries – “The essence of Boulder’s beauty lies in a commitment made over a century ago by the city’s founders. The creation of an open-space system, a set of land-use limitations to control the city’s boundaries and to corral sprawl. . . .” (The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Policies guide decisions about growth, development, preservation, environmental protection, economic development, affordable housing, culture and the arts, neighborhood character and transportation.)
3. Brunch (at the Teahouse) – “For four years, artisans in Boulder’s sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, worked to create their gift to the city. Today, the iconic Teahouse is an authentic representation of Persian art and architecture, and is the only building of its kind in the Western Hemisphere . . . The brunch menu offers Indian curry omelets . . . .”
To read about the rest of the seven, click here
P.S. And, Boulder “boasts more sunny days than San Diego or Miami.”
But the first paragraph begins with an impressive list of recognitions that Boulder, Colorado (population 94,000) has received: smartest city, thinnest city, best place for a runner, and “the top green city and clean city in the United States.”
The article continues by listing seven things one should know regarding Boulder. A sampling of three of the seven will be enough to make the point that the citizens of Boulder have indeed been bold in shaping a city on certain distinctives:
1. Bicycles – “The best way to explore Boulder is by bicycle (the number of bikes is nearly equal to the number of households, and they plow some major bike paths before roads when it snows).”
2. Boundaries – “The essence of Boulder’s beauty lies in a commitment made over a century ago by the city’s founders. The creation of an open-space system, a set of land-use limitations to control the city’s boundaries and to corral sprawl. . . .” (The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Policies guide decisions about growth, development, preservation, environmental protection, economic development, affordable housing, culture and the arts, neighborhood character and transportation.)
3. Brunch (at the Teahouse) – “For four years, artisans in Boulder’s sister city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, worked to create their gift to the city. Today, the iconic Teahouse is an authentic representation of Persian art and architecture, and is the only building of its kind in the Western Hemisphere . . . The brunch menu offers Indian curry omelets . . . .”
To read about the rest of the seven, click here
P.S. And, Boulder “boasts more sunny days than San Diego or Miami.”
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Daily Blog: Bellingham: Intentional Distinctiveness
An article in National Geographic Traveler contains three sentences which provide interesting insights into the distinctiveness of Bellingham, Washington (population 75,000).
1. “Bellingham is anchored by the Fairhaven District, a square mile or so of turn-of-the-century buildings turned to modern uses.”
2. “Recently, when faced with development or view, Bellingham overwhelmingly chose view.”
3. Bellingham is “a small town that likes being a small town.”
These statements provide answers to questions citizens of every town should ask themselves, such as:
1. What is, or could be, the “anchor” of our town?
2. When faced with choices that could affect the distinctiveness of our town, what would we choose?
3. What is the “right” size for our town?
To read the complete article on Bellingham click here.
P.S. Another Bellingham distinctive is the annual “Ski to Sea” race started in 1973, drawing thousands from around the world. Participants compete in a seven leg relay (cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking and kayaking).
1. “Bellingham is anchored by the Fairhaven District, a square mile or so of turn-of-the-century buildings turned to modern uses.”
2. “Recently, when faced with development or view, Bellingham overwhelmingly chose view.”
3. Bellingham is “a small town that likes being a small town.”
These statements provide answers to questions citizens of every town should ask themselves, such as:
1. What is, or could be, the “anchor” of our town?
2. When faced with choices that could affect the distinctiveness of our town, what would we choose?
3. What is the “right” size for our town?
To read the complete article on Bellingham click here.
P.S. Another Bellingham distinctive is the annual “Ski to Sea” race started in 1973, drawing thousands from around the world. Participants compete in a seven leg relay (cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking and kayaking).
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Daily Blog: Sense and Sustainability
Preservation of old neighborhoods and historic buildings makes a lot of sense from the “sustainability” point of view.
It’s about more than preserving the past. Other reasons include:
• Reducing Automobile Dependence: “The smaller scale of streets and buildings in historic neighborhoods enables people to drive less and rely on alternative transportation, such as walking or bicycling.”
• Land Conservation: “Revitalizing existing neighborhoods reduces pressure to build on previously undeveloped land.”
• Efficient Use of Infrastructure: “Historic neighborhoods do not require the construction of new streets or extension of water and sewer lines.”
Read more at The Medallion, July/August 2009, p. 14.
It’s about more than preserving the past. Other reasons include:
• Reducing Automobile Dependence: “The smaller scale of streets and buildings in historic neighborhoods enables people to drive less and rely on alternative transportation, such as walking or bicycling.”
• Land Conservation: “Revitalizing existing neighborhoods reduces pressure to build on previously undeveloped land.”
• Efficient Use of Infrastructure: “Historic neighborhoods do not require the construction of new streets or extension of water and sewer lines.”
Read more at The Medallion, July/August 2009, p. 14.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Daily Blog: Chanhassen, MN
Coming in second on the CNNMoney.com list of best places to live is Chanhassen, Minnesota, population 23,700.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/snapshots/PL2710918.html
Chanhassen has so far survived the recession and property taxes are going down even while home prices are going up.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/snapshots/PL2710918.html
Chanhassen has so far survived the recession and property taxes are going down even while home prices are going up.
"'There's a genuine small-town feel,' says Sarah Pinamonti, 41, who moved here with her husband, Rick, 43, in 2002. They've never regretted it. 'We rarely have to leave town to have fun,' says Rick. No wonder: The town has 11 lakes, 34 parks, and the 1,047-acre Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Come winter there's a carnival, ice-fishing contests on Lake Ann, and skating and hockey everywhere (town officials flood grassy areas to create outdoor rinks)."
The town is close enough to the Twin Cities area for folks to commute to work or visit on the weekends. But it's far enough away that it has its own unique small town feel and quality of life.
But CNNMoney.com warned that Chanhassen might not be for everyone, especially when the town starts hosting events outdoors in the winter:
"Wimps beware: Those activities require braving temps that often dip into single digits."
Monday, July 13, 2009
Daily Blog: Louisville, CO
Everyone knows about Louisville, Kentucky. But maybe its time we started paying attention to Louisville, Colorado.
This city of nearly 19,000 just topped the CNNMoney.com rankings of the best cities under 50,000 in which to live:
http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/107313/best-places-to-live-2009-edition.html?mod=realestate-buy
The city offers a rare mix of commerce, culture and community. Located along the Rocky Mountains, Louisville provides a diverse job market that has kept county employment among the lowest in the state.
And people genuinely enjoy the city and its mountain setting:
This city of nearly 19,000 just topped the CNNMoney.com rankings of the best cities under 50,000 in which to live:
http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/107313/best-places-to-live-2009-edition.html?mod=realestate-buy
The city offers a rare mix of commerce, culture and community. Located along the Rocky Mountains, Louisville provides a diverse job market that has kept county employment among the lowest in the state.
And people genuinely enjoy the city and its mountain setting:
"But the top reason residents give for moving here? The great outdoors. Louisville is laced with nearly 30 miles of trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is less than an hour away, and eight world-class ski resorts are within two hours. The town's schools are highly rated as well.
"Add in dry, clear weather, little crime, good health care, and low taxes, and Louisville is pretty tough to beat."
Friday, July 10, 2009
Weekly Column: Bush in Woodward
"Today is truly a great time to be in Woodward," says Mayor Bill Fanning. Last Saturday certainly was.
Woodward, Oklahoma sits in the western part of the state and is home to 12,000 residents. This mid-sized city has lived through the various economic developments of America.
During its 122 years of history, the town first experienced growth thanks to the booming railroad industry. Then came the famous cattle drives that brought animals and people to the town. In the 20th century, Woodward experienced the Oklahoma oil boom...and the oil bust that eventually followed.
These days, Woodward hopes to be part of the renewable energy industry. With the famous Oklahoma wind blowing through it, Woodward is perfectly situated for wind power. As the town's website proudly proclaims:
"Woodward is rapidly becoming the state’s hub for sustainable energy as 38,000 megawatts of wind generation is currently being developed in the rolling grasslands of Northwest Oklahoma. With a 345 kV transmission line under construction by OG&E that will link these facilities to Oklahoma City, and an additional 765 kV transmission project proposed to bring even more capacity online across the Oklahoma panhandle and Kansas, these new ventures will help power America’s future with clean, renewable energy."
Whether it was to honor the town's proud past or its promising future, a distinguished visitor decided to spend the 4th of July in Woodward--the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-bushokla_06met.ART.State.Edition2.4ba6641.html
Bush spoke to the crowd and thanked them for the spirit of community that was on display throughout the town.
"At its core," he said, "patriotism is defined by answering the call to serve a cause greater than yourself."
The crowd loved the message, perhaps because the town lives the message. Thousands came out to join together and reflect on America's independence.
As the article notes:
Woodward, Oklahoma sits in the western part of the state and is home to 12,000 residents. This mid-sized city has lived through the various economic developments of America.
During its 122 years of history, the town first experienced growth thanks to the booming railroad industry. Then came the famous cattle drives that brought animals and people to the town. In the 20th century, Woodward experienced the Oklahoma oil boom...and the oil bust that eventually followed.
These days, Woodward hopes to be part of the renewable energy industry. With the famous Oklahoma wind blowing through it, Woodward is perfectly situated for wind power. As the town's website proudly proclaims:
"Woodward is rapidly becoming the state’s hub for sustainable energy as 38,000 megawatts of wind generation is currently being developed in the rolling grasslands of Northwest Oklahoma. With a 345 kV transmission line under construction by OG&E that will link these facilities to Oklahoma City, and an additional 765 kV transmission project proposed to bring even more capacity online across the Oklahoma panhandle and Kansas, these new ventures will help power America’s future with clean, renewable energy."
Whether it was to honor the town's proud past or its promising future, a distinguished visitor decided to spend the 4th of July in Woodward--the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/local/stories/DN-bushokla_06met.ART.State.Edition2.4ba6641.html
Bush spoke to the crowd and thanked them for the spirit of community that was on display throughout the town.
"At its core," he said, "patriotism is defined by answering the call to serve a cause greater than yourself."
The crowd loved the message, perhaps because the town lives the message. Thousands came out to join together and reflect on America's independence.
As the article notes:
"Odalee Craighead, a 66-year-old teacher and wife of Woodward County Commissioner Ted Craighead, said she thought Bush was sending a signal to the heartland.
"'Why not come to a small community to tell America, 'I'm still here and I care about you'?'"
Interestingly, while Woodward tries to shift from oil to wind, the economy in that town is struggling. Jobs have been lost; people are going without. Yet most folks seem to content to fight it out in Woodward and make the best of it.
This is the same spirit that helped the town overcome a tornado a few years back. Rather than give up, the town built up again. And this 4th of July that spirit was on display as brass bands played in front of red, white and blue bunting and little kids watched the turtle races.
Maybe one trip from a former president can't turn around Woodward's economy overnight. But it was a nice tribute to a neat town.
And maybe the town is right when it says on its website that it is "building on the past and moving forward into a bright future!"
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Daily Blog: Burlington, Vermont--Against the Odds
"The typical American age 55 and older dines in a restaurant 51 times a year--or about once a week--according to a recent survey by the Cornell University Center for Hospitality Research."
So where are the best cities for such retirees? U.S. News and World Report recently supplied a list of ten recommendations:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/retirement/2009/04/30/10-great-places-for-foodies-to retire.html
One of the cities immediately caught my eye because I was reminded of our memorable day in downtown Burlington, Vermont (population 38,889) at the Church Street Marketplace.
It just happens that the American Planning Association has a similarly high opinion--recently designating the Church Street Marketplace as one of the ten great "Public Spaces" in America:
http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/spaces/2008/churchstreetmarketplace.htm
What makes the designation especially remarkable is "some 200 outdoor pedestrian malls have been built in the U.S. since the late 1960's, yet only 30 or so remain in operation."
"Each year some 3 million visitors come here to shop, eat...or pass the time of day....With 63 specialty stores, 13 national retailers, 26 eating and drinking establishments, the marketplace offers something for every shopper."
So why was this outdoor pedestrian mall a success against such pessimistic odds?
No doubt there were several contributing factors but two imperatives mentioned by the APA were "an inclusive and careful planning and design process" and "strong community support."
So where are the best cities for such retirees? U.S. News and World Report recently supplied a list of ten recommendations:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/retirement/2009/04/30/10-great-places-for-foodies-to retire.html
One of the cities immediately caught my eye because I was reminded of our memorable day in downtown Burlington, Vermont (population 38,889) at the Church Street Marketplace.
It just happens that the American Planning Association has a similarly high opinion--recently designating the Church Street Marketplace as one of the ten great "Public Spaces" in America:
http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/spaces/2008/churchstreetmarketplace.htm
What makes the designation especially remarkable is "some 200 outdoor pedestrian malls have been built in the U.S. since the late 1960's, yet only 30 or so remain in operation."
"Each year some 3 million visitors come here to shop, eat...or pass the time of day....With 63 specialty stores, 13 national retailers, 26 eating and drinking establishments, the marketplace offers something for every shopper."
So why was this outdoor pedestrian mall a success against such pessimistic odds?
No doubt there were several contributing factors but two imperatives mentioned by the APA were "an inclusive and careful planning and design process" and "strong community support."
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Daily Blog: Keeping a Hope Alive
For over 75 years, this week (second week of July) has been Rodeo Week in Sheridan, Wyoming (population 15, 804). American Cowboy magazine has listed the Sheridan Rodeo as one of the "101 Best Western Events" in the nation.
But anyone attending Sheridan's rodeo will notice there's even more to this town. The American Planning Association noticed that when it designated Downtown Sheridan as one of the ten "Great Neighborhoods" in America in 2008.
http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/neighborhoods/2008/downtownsheridan.htm
It's a deserving honor for the citizens of Sheridan, past and present, who have taken pride in their town since the first 40 acres were platted in May 1882. During its centennial anniversary in 1982, the Main Street area was designated a National Historic District.
The spirit of community has been impressive and is continually expressed in teh actions of those who live there.
And that spirit was expressed in words by one of Sheridan's most prominent citizens years ago. John Kendrick was a successful Wyoming rancher who became governor and then U.S. senator. His 1913 mansion overlooks Sheridan to this day.
In 1919, Kendrick wrote, from Washington, to a friend:
"I have always hoped that...I could go back home and lend myself wholeheartedly to a scheme of making Sheridan one of the most beautiful and attractive residential towns, not only in the West, but on the face of the earth."
But anyone attending Sheridan's rodeo will notice there's even more to this town. The American Planning Association noticed that when it designated Downtown Sheridan as one of the ten "Great Neighborhoods" in America in 2008.
http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/neighborhoods/2008/downtownsheridan.htm
It's a deserving honor for the citizens of Sheridan, past and present, who have taken pride in their town since the first 40 acres were platted in May 1882. During its centennial anniversary in 1982, the Main Street area was designated a National Historic District.
The spirit of community has been impressive and is continually expressed in teh actions of those who live there.
And that spirit was expressed in words by one of Sheridan's most prominent citizens years ago. John Kendrick was a successful Wyoming rancher who became governor and then U.S. senator. His 1913 mansion overlooks Sheridan to this day.
In 1919, Kendrick wrote, from Washington, to a friend:
"I have always hoped that...I could go back home and lend myself wholeheartedly to a scheme of making Sheridan one of the most beautiful and attractive residential towns, not only in the West, but on the face of the earth."
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Daily Blog: Moving to Mid-sized Cities
Are Alabamians leaving big cities for mid-sized cities?
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20090706/NEWS/907064000?Title=Census-data-shows-Alabamians-may-be-returning-to-their-roots
It seems that while Birmingham and Mobile lost residents according to the Census, other smaller cities were gaining them. According to the article:
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20090706/NEWS/907064000?Title=Census-data-shows-Alabamians-may-be-returning-to-their-roots
It seems that while Birmingham and Mobile lost residents according to the Census, other smaller cities were gaining them. According to the article:
"Taken as a group, cities with 25,000 to 99,999 people have grown 13.8 percent and cities between 10,000 and 25,000 have grown 15.7 percent, Watters said.
"She noted towns with populations between 2,500 and 5,000, such as Robertsdale, Priceville, Chelsea and Union Springs, also have been adding new residents. And most of the cities along Alabama Highway 59 in South Alabama - Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - as well as Fairhope and Daphne, show robust growth."
What explains this growth? It's hard to know. But with today's technology, many people can telecommute and thus be employed in Birmingham while living and working in Tuscaloosa. And it also seems likely that quality of life is an issue. Mid-sized cities often offer a slower pace and a friendlier atmosphere.
It will be interesting to see if other mid-sized cities around the country experience this same kind of growth.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Daily Blog: The Road to the Future
For many four and five-figure cities, the road to the future is the Ports to Plains Corridor:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h3xW1n26HPCBOoIPX5Ho4CziIg9wD997QN400
This highway carries goods and products from "the Port of Raymond on the U.S. border with Saskatchewan to Laredo, Texas. It winds its way through Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and North and South Dakota." Now there are plans to expand this corridor.
Along this road are many mid-sized cities who reap economic benefit from the road. One such town is Limon, Colorado, population 2071.
According to the article:
"In Limon, where the town center was nearly destroyed by a 1990 tornado, Kiely said Ports to Plains will lure manufacturing to supplement lodging and food, which employ roughly 300 people.
"Limon's central Colorado location, cheap land prices, open space for trucks and
lack of congestion can be attractive to companies, he said.
"About 2 million trucks pass through Limon every year — 1.3 million on the corridor and 700,000 on Interstate 70, which runs west to Denver. The way Kiely sees it, a town created in 1888 as a water stop for trains can retain youth who now leave for better opportunities elsewhere.
"'That's what keeps a town going,' he said."
Transportation is an economic lifeline in many communities. And it certainly is in
the mid-sized cities along the Ports to Plains Corridor.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h3xW1n26HPCBOoIPX5Ho4CziIg9wD997QN400
This highway carries goods and products from "the Port of Raymond on the U.S. border with Saskatchewan to Laredo, Texas. It winds its way through Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and North and South Dakota." Now there are plans to expand this corridor.
Along this road are many mid-sized cities who reap economic benefit from the road. One such town is Limon, Colorado, population 2071.
According to the article:
"In Limon, where the town center was nearly destroyed by a 1990 tornado, Kiely said Ports to Plains will lure manufacturing to supplement lodging and food, which employ roughly 300 people.
"Limon's central Colorado location, cheap land prices, open space for trucks and
lack of congestion can be attractive to companies, he said.
"About 2 million trucks pass through Limon every year — 1.3 million on the corridor and 700,000 on Interstate 70, which runs west to Denver. The way Kiely sees it, a town created in 1888 as a water stop for trains can retain youth who now leave for better opportunities elsewhere.
"'That's what keeps a town going,' he said."
Transportation is an economic lifeline in many communities. And it certainly is in
the mid-sized cities along the Ports to Plains Corridor.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Weekly Column: Not Fancy, Just Idyllic
Ultimately, the leaders of cities must reckon with the reality that the places where people enjoy living must be more than steel, asphalt and concrete.
There is an intangible component that plays an important role in creating what is sometimes called “a sense of place.” And sometimes there are ways that a small-to-midsize city can be just the right size to create that special sense.
Luke Barr captures that special quality in a well-written piece about Aix-en-Provence (population 141,000) in the south of France.
But his words describe the kind of place most people would love to call “home” anywhere in the world.
Barr writes, “. . . the town pulls you toward its heart, its grand central street, the Cours Mirabeau. With two tall rows of plane trees and a series of fountains and cafés, it makes you slow down and exhale. M.F. [celebrated writer, M.F.K. Fisher] described the Cours this way: ‘It is a man-made miracle, perhaps indescribable, compounded of stone and water and trees, and to the fortunate it is one of the world’s chosen spots for their own sentient growth.’”
Barr ate dinner at the famous café on the Cours, Les Deux Garcons, “never a place one came for the food, but rather for the ambience” – a place built in 1792 which counted among its guests Cézanne, Zola and Hemingway.
But for a place to really be “home” requires more than a walkable, friendly, tree-lined main street and a popular café – and Barr revealed there is more.
There was “a routine, a rhythm, a kind of easygoing daily schedule . . . The main event was the farmers’ market in downtown Aix. On the Place Richelme, under the shade of a canopy of tall plane trees, this was a farmers’ market to end all farmers’ markets. Not that it was very big, or particularly fancy, but it was idyllic; the market was busy from early morning until just after lunch . . . "
There are also the inanimate landmarks that somehow acquire an endearing personality. For Barr it was “the fountain of the Four Dolphins . . . our family favorite . . . the fountain consisted of four stone dolphins, smiling and cheerful but each with a slightly different expression, spouting thin streams of water . . .”
Berr’s father remembered the fountain from when he was 13, and “here it was, 50 years later, and still wonderful.”
A street, a café, a market and a fountain – together they transcended asphalt and concrete to create a sense of place.
Travel and Leisure, April 2009, p. 144, “At Home in Provence”
There is an intangible component that plays an important role in creating what is sometimes called “a sense of place.” And sometimes there are ways that a small-to-midsize city can be just the right size to create that special sense.
Luke Barr captures that special quality in a well-written piece about Aix-en-Provence (population 141,000) in the south of France.
But his words describe the kind of place most people would love to call “home” anywhere in the world.
Barr writes, “. . . the town pulls you toward its heart, its grand central street, the Cours Mirabeau. With two tall rows of plane trees and a series of fountains and cafés, it makes you slow down and exhale. M.F. [celebrated writer, M.F.K. Fisher] described the Cours this way: ‘It is a man-made miracle, perhaps indescribable, compounded of stone and water and trees, and to the fortunate it is one of the world’s chosen spots for their own sentient growth.’”
Barr ate dinner at the famous café on the Cours, Les Deux Garcons, “never a place one came for the food, but rather for the ambience” – a place built in 1792 which counted among its guests Cézanne, Zola and Hemingway.
But for a place to really be “home” requires more than a walkable, friendly, tree-lined main street and a popular café – and Barr revealed there is more.
There was “a routine, a rhythm, a kind of easygoing daily schedule . . . The main event was the farmers’ market in downtown Aix. On the Place Richelme, under the shade of a canopy of tall plane trees, this was a farmers’ market to end all farmers’ markets. Not that it was very big, or particularly fancy, but it was idyllic; the market was busy from early morning until just after lunch . . . "
There are also the inanimate landmarks that somehow acquire an endearing personality. For Barr it was “the fountain of the Four Dolphins . . . our family favorite . . . the fountain consisted of four stone dolphins, smiling and cheerful but each with a slightly different expression, spouting thin streams of water . . .”
Berr’s father remembered the fountain from when he was 13, and “here it was, 50 years later, and still wonderful.”
A street, a café, a market and a fountain – together they transcended asphalt and concrete to create a sense of place.
Travel and Leisure, April 2009, p. 144, “At Home in Provence”
Daily Blog: Facing the Troubles
Over the life of a city there will always be times of trouble. But there was a time in the life of Londonderry that the trouble was so intense and so long-lasting that a thirty-year period from 1968-1998 was given the name, “the Troubles.”
A bitter disagreement between those favoring unification with the Irish Republic and those wishing to continue under British rule became so heated and violent that more than 3,500 people lost their lives – with much of the tension focusing on Londonderry (population 85,000) and Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland.
Things are calmer now, but as “the Troubles” have diminished in their intensity other problems have increased.
Joshua Hammer writes, “Peace has brought other difficulties . . . the suicide rate among Belfast’s youth has risen sharply since the Troubles ended, largely because, the priest believes, the sense of camaraderie and shared struggle provided by the paramilitary groups has been replaced by ennui and despair.”
The story of the Troubles provides a lesson for leaders of any city: A spirit of community cannot flourish when the sense of camaraderie and shared struggle pits citizens against each other – rather it is about identifying and defining the common enemies or troubles facing a city thus creating a unifying sense of camaraderie and shared struggle which binds its citizens together.
Read more in “Getting Past the Troubles”, Smithsonian, March 2009
A bitter disagreement between those favoring unification with the Irish Republic and those wishing to continue under British rule became so heated and violent that more than 3,500 people lost their lives – with much of the tension focusing on Londonderry (population 85,000) and Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland.
Things are calmer now, but as “the Troubles” have diminished in their intensity other problems have increased.
Joshua Hammer writes, “Peace has brought other difficulties . . . the suicide rate among Belfast’s youth has risen sharply since the Troubles ended, largely because, the priest believes, the sense of camaraderie and shared struggle provided by the paramilitary groups has been replaced by ennui and despair.”
The story of the Troubles provides a lesson for leaders of any city: A spirit of community cannot flourish when the sense of camaraderie and shared struggle pits citizens against each other – rather it is about identifying and defining the common enemies or troubles facing a city thus creating a unifying sense of camaraderie and shared struggle which binds its citizens together.
Read more in “Getting Past the Troubles”, Smithsonian, March 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Daily Blog: The Portland, Maine Formula
Recently I had a conversation with an elected city official regarding the importance of “infill” for keeping a city together.
That conversation ended with an unanswered question: What should be the ideal “population density”?
Since that conversation I have checked the “population density” (population per square mile) of a random group of five-figure cities with the following results:
Ames IA 2,390|
Annapolis MD 5,326
Asheville NC 1,704
Bend OR 1,624
Bloomington IN 3,626
Burlington VT 3,682
Charlottesville VA 4,389
Cheyenne WY 2,511
Eau Claire WI 1,910
Flagstaff AZ 902
Ft. Smith AR 1,639
Grand Forks ND 2,563
Harrisburg PA 6,043
Jackson TN 1,205
Jefferson City MO 1,438
Kearney NE 2,498
Manhattan KS 3,447
Midland MI 1,254
Moscow ID 3,460
New Braunfels TX 1,604
Ogden UT 3,067
Olympia WA 1,181
Owensboro KY 3,107
Pensacola FL 2,478
Portland ME 3,029
Rapid City SD 1,336
Rochester MN 2,454
San Luis Obispo CA 4,144
Springfield OH 2,908
Stillwater OK 1,402
In this sample, the range stretches from a “low population density” in Flagstaff, 902, to a high in Harrisburg of 6,043. Somewhere near the middle lies Portland, Maine with a density of 3,029.
Among other recent recognitions, Portland was named America’s most livable city by Forbes magazine (April 1, 2009).
Portland also made the top five “most walkable” medium size cities list, which included the following explanation:
“Although the largest city in Maine, Portland is more like a sophisticated, attractive small town than a major urban center. David Willauer, Portland’s Senior Transportation Planner says “Portland is ideal for walking because the dense, residential development makes for short distances to activity centers”. [sic] The book and antique shops of the restored Old Port Exchange are easily navigated on foot, and the homes of the Eastern Promenade enjoy remarkable serenity for their proximity to downtown. Although the city was nearly burned to the ground three times in its history, there are still plenty of historic buildings for walkers to seek out and explore. The city is pedestrian-friendly to children as well, as nearly 60% of students walk to Portland’s two urban elementery [sic] schools.” Click here for entire article.
Could there be a relationship between “density” and “walkability?” Could there be a relationship between “density” and “livability?”
Perhaps, Portland has found something approaching the ideal density – at least for Portland.
(In case you wondered, the population density for New York City is 11,400 per square mile.)
That conversation ended with an unanswered question: What should be the ideal “population density”?
Since that conversation I have checked the “population density” (population per square mile) of a random group of five-figure cities with the following results:
Ames IA 2,390|
Annapolis MD 5,326
Asheville NC 1,704
Bend OR 1,624
Bloomington IN 3,626
Burlington VT 3,682
Charlottesville VA 4,389
Cheyenne WY 2,511
Eau Claire WI 1,910
Flagstaff AZ 902
Ft. Smith AR 1,639
Grand Forks ND 2,563
Harrisburg PA 6,043
Jackson TN 1,205
Jefferson City MO 1,438
Kearney NE 2,498
Manhattan KS 3,447
Midland MI 1,254
Moscow ID 3,460
New Braunfels TX 1,604
Ogden UT 3,067
Olympia WA 1,181
Owensboro KY 3,107
Pensacola FL 2,478
Portland ME 3,029
Rapid City SD 1,336
Rochester MN 2,454
San Luis Obispo CA 4,144
Springfield OH 2,908
Stillwater OK 1,402
In this sample, the range stretches from a “low population density” in Flagstaff, 902, to a high in Harrisburg of 6,043. Somewhere near the middle lies Portland, Maine with a density of 3,029.
Among other recent recognitions, Portland was named America’s most livable city by Forbes magazine (April 1, 2009).
Portland also made the top five “most walkable” medium size cities list, which included the following explanation:
“Although the largest city in Maine, Portland is more like a sophisticated, attractive small town than a major urban center. David Willauer, Portland’s Senior Transportation Planner says “Portland is ideal for walking because the dense, residential development makes for short distances to activity centers”. [sic] The book and antique shops of the restored Old Port Exchange are easily navigated on foot, and the homes of the Eastern Promenade enjoy remarkable serenity for their proximity to downtown. Although the city was nearly burned to the ground three times in its history, there are still plenty of historic buildings for walkers to seek out and explore. The city is pedestrian-friendly to children as well, as nearly 60% of students walk to Portland’s two urban elementery [sic] schools.” Click here for entire article.
Could there be a relationship between “density” and “walkability?” Could there be a relationship between “density” and “livability?”
Perhaps, Portland has found something approaching the ideal density – at least for Portland.
(In case you wondered, the population density for New York City is 11,400 per square mile.)
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