Posts Tagged ‘community design’

Does the design & appearance of a farm/ranch matter?

October 1st, 2009

Lindsey is out in Hill City, SD today leading the DesignSD team in a community design charrette, so the question about the design and appearance of farm/ranches is timely.  It’s actually not my question; rather it’s Caleb Schultz’s at the America’s Great Divide blog.

Caleb’s blog is fresh off the press (just two days old).  His goal for the blog is to bridge the gap between urban and rural people.

In his first post, he laments the negative attitudes he sees from many of his urban counterparts and asked what it will take to change their minds?  In his second post, he connects the importance of a farm’s physical appearance with the growing local foods movement, noting the following: 

“Part of connecting with consumers in the new local food market includes your business facility. Yep, your farm or ranch is now your place of business, your store front. If we want to connect to the urban society, there needs to be a touch of class and refinement. I’m not talking fake - dude ranch style, I’m talking nice respectable working facility style. A place to be proud of and a place to humbly show off when the city folk decide to see what agriculture is all about.”

Good point. Anything we can do to combat food from being a commodity is good in my book

But because Lindsey is working with the DesignSD team right now, Caleb’s comments caused me to wonder what impact the appearance of farms have on the small towns around them?  We know that people judge a community solely on its appearance.  We also know that good signage (and branding) that extend beyond the physical limits of a town’s boundaries has an impact as well.  Do people see the farms they drive by as extensions of a community as well? 

I’m really not sure of the answer here, but I suspect the answer lies in an adage that you’ve heard me say many times before - “it’s all connected.” 

 

Photo credit:  Whatleydude - Flickr  

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New Urbanism in Rural America

July 21st, 2009

 
Many people believe that for a town to grow, it needs a new development on the edge of town.  People moving to town need a place to build, so why not?  A contractor or developer buys land on the edge of town and divides it into cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets.  The developments often eat up valuable farmland, and become a suburban island far from where people work and play.  New urbanism, or smart growth, is helping these cities and towns develop better.

New urbanism believes in land conservation, mixed use development, and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods.  These new developments are built in one of two places: infilling an existing but declining neighborhood, or on the edge of town.  Infilling prevents sprawl, saves resources by using existing infrastructure, and helps bring back life in old neighborhoods. 

When infilling is not an option, new developments using smart growth principles are modeled after older neighborhoods in the community or city and placed on the edge of town.  These lots are set up on a traditional grid pattern with narrower streets to slow traffic, with narrow and deep lots.  This promotes a safe neighborhood for children to play in, pedestrians to stroll, and others the ability to bike to work.  These developments model themselves off existing streets and neighborhoods to help connect with the town.  This helps the development create a sense of self, as well as a feeling of belonging to the city and not an attached parasite. 

New urbanism also believes in mixed use development.  Good new urbanism developments actually have a higher population density than average neighborhoods, connect residents around community plazas and playgrounds, and provide essential shopping (think groceries, hardware, florist, etc.) as well as offices within minutes.  They encourage biking and walking; they build apartments and single-family homes in the same neighborhood, and invest in community spaces.  All of these aspects contribute to a community’s social capital.

So, why do we not see more new urbanism in our communities?  I think one reason is the fact that they take more planning and effort.  I think we can all agree that a larger up-front investment is hard for any community to swallow, whether it has 500 or 100,000 residents.  But, if people start asking for these types of neighborhoods, I think they can become more commonplace and start to outnumber their suburban counterparts. 

Which would you rather live in, and why?  Is there a reason you would prefer one over the other?  This is something I want to study more and would like to hear some input.

For more information on this topic and what our neighbor to the east is doing to implement these new neighborhoods, check out the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund’s Building Better Neighborhoods website.

 

Photo Credit: Matt on Flickr

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5 Things I experienced in Gary, SD

July 7th, 2009

As I promised, here’s an update on what I experienced over the weekend at the Gary, South Dakota 3rd of July Celebration.  For a town of 250 residents, they held an amazing event.  Both the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the Watertown Public Opinion published stories.  Rather than describe the activities or the grand opening of the Buffalo Ridge Resort, I want to share “5 things I saw” in Gary while I was at the celebration. 

1. The transformation of a decaying community asset:  I’ve previously stated that I believe most rural communities have hidden assets waiting to be transformed.  And the former South Dakota School for the Blind may have been more decay than asset.  But a quick look at these before and after pictures will show what vision and hard work can do.  I hope it inspires other rural communities to look for assets they can develop.

2. A community coming together:  Gary residents have always come together to sponsor some great community celebrations.  This year, they put together an incredible set of activities for their two-day 3rd of July Celebration that coincided with the Buffalo Ridge Resort grand opening.   Not only do events like this bring money into town, but they also create a sense of community for residents and visitors alike.  (If you want to see what other events the community has planned, I’d encourage you to check out their new website.)

3. A Sense of Opportunity:  While taking some pictures Friday, I overheard one middle-aged guy say, “I want to move back, and I mean here (meaning Gary) not Watertown.”  I don’t know where the person lives or what he does for a living, but I’ll bet he wasn’t the only one to say that over the weekend.  The Buffalo Ridge Resort has undoubtedly created some employment opportunities, but hopefully it will also inspire others to dream of creating their own businesses.  (Anyone who has such dreams should contact Briana Hoffman, Deuel Area Development, Inc — briana.hoffman@rurallearningcenter.org .)

4. An entrepreneur who reinvested in his community after striking success:  Let’s be honest.  It would have been easier for Joe Kolbach to take the earnings from selling his wind energy business and move to the big city.  Instead, he chose to reinvest in the community that helped him build his company.  

5. Skepticism:  Yes, I overheard a few other people talking about how tough operating a resort facility in a town of 250 people will be.  But as Joe Kolbach said in the Argus Leader, “People can’t imagine why I’m spending the money on building this. But this is a passion for the whole community. It will work. I wouldn’t have built it if I thought otherwise.”

 

So what will the future hold? Some people will root against the Buffalo Ridge Resort because of jealousy and small-mindedness. That happens in big cities and rural communities alike.  Hopefully most people in the Gary region understand what an incredible opportunity stands in front of them.  I’m sure there are a lot of communities who would welcome such a development with open arms. 

Personally, I’d never root against anything Joe takes on.  He built a company from scratch, and has already done more with former blind school campus than most people thought possible.  Those are people who usually find a way to get the job done.  And they are the type of people we could use more of in our rural communities.

       

Note:  Be sure to check out more before and after pictures on Flickr.

Update:  Check out this post at Madville Times about the project.

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Welcome Morgan Andenas

June 15th, 2009

Last week we introduced you to Nicole Lauck who will be writing posts for us this summer.  Today, we’re sharing an interview with Howard native, Morgan Andenas.

Where did you grow up, where are you going to school now, and what are you studying?

I grew up in Howard, SD on my parent’s farm 7 miles north of town.  I went to Howard High and graduated with a class of 38.  I am now going to college at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT.  In the fall I will be a junior continuing in the Architecture department.

What do you hope to write about this summer?

I hope to write about what I see when I come home from school.  Every time I come home (for Christmas, Spring Break and summer) I see what used to be my day-to-day surroundings differently.  I hope to write about what differences I see, and also how my education affects the way I see the world.  Instead of taking my surroundings at a glorified face-value, I’m beginning to look deeper, both in terms of design and of reality, no matter how harsh it can be.  I believe we cannot just say, “That’s the way it has always been,” and that’s the end of it.  Communities can work towards something better, and I think design can play a large role in that.

What’s one of your most favorite memories about growing up in a rural community?

That would have to be the neighbors.  My closest neighbors are a full mile down the gravel road, and our other neighbors are up to 8 miles away.  But, no matter the distance, everyone helps everyone and it’s such an amazing community to grow up in; I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What’s one of your least favorite memories about growing up in a rural community?

The distance between everything was one of the most inconvenient things.  To get to any reasonable shopping (above the groceries, gifts and florist shop in town) you have to go at least 30 minutes in any direction.  Going to the movies takes 30 minutes, and the closest mall is an hour.  Even my friends were at least ten minute drive away.  It definitely makes spur-of-the-moment plans much more difficult.

What’s the “coolest” small town or place in a small town that you have been to?

I think any small town that tries to keep its young people around and trying new ways to keep the community alive is pretty cool.  We now have a really neat coffee shop in Howard and I love it!  After getting hooked on my occasional mocha at school (especially after a long night working on a project), I really appreciate being able to get really good coffee and food right on my hometown Main Street! (I highly recommend the Oriental Orange Salad.)

 

As readers know, the Rural Learning Center believes community design is an important element to the success of rural communities.  And research seems to suggest that community design (including architectural elements) are very important to Millennials.  It will be cool to hear how Morgan reacts to some of that research.  Hopefully, community leaders (myself included) will “listen” to both Morgan and Nicole.  After all, if we want our communities to be places where young people want to live, we’d better listen.   

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design:SD — What does branding have to do with design?

April 3rd, 2009

During the recent Design:SD charrette in Deuel County, I continually found myself asking the various communities who were represented (there are eight: Clear Lake, Gary, Altamont, Astoria, Brandt, Goodwin, Toronto, Lake Cochrane) a single string of questions.

What is your community’s niche?  What makes you special and different than the other communities in Deuel County?

Not surprisingly, this question was a bit difficult for people to answer.  Not because the communities aren’t unique, but because they simply haven’t taken the time to really think about what those things are.  I think the answers to those questions are intrinsically related to branding. 

Branding can be a really difficult concept to understand, and even more difficult to execute.  But it doesn’t have to be.  If you can answer the question above, you’re well on your way to identifying your community’s brand.  Of course there are other elements you will consider as you dig in, but the basics come back to knowing who your community is and being able to communicate it to others. 

So, what does this have to do with Design:SD?  

Design:SD always tries to start with the strengths of the communities as they currently exist.  Knowing your strengths (the foundation of your brand) gives the design team a solid foundation to build upon. 

A strong brand can also help your community decide what’s most important to work on first.  It can help you understand what elements need to stay because they build character and make your community unique, and what elements need to go because they detract from it. 

So, if you’re reading this post and aren’t sure where to start in your community, I’d challenge you to answer the questions above and begin focusing on those ideas and projects that build a stronger sense of who your community is.  I don’t think you can go wrong when you begin there. 

Photo Note:  The Deuel Design Team digs in to identify the boards that they will produce for the Deuel County community.

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design:SD — More on the Boards

April 2nd, 2009

Design:SD is a lot of fun because we don’t focus on financing - or more specifically, the lack of it.  Instead, the team and community spend  a lot of time brainstorming and imagining creative projects.   Unfortunately, what sometimes happens next is that the design team leaves, and community members are left wondering, “Where is the money going to come from?”

In Deuel, the design team didn’t even get out of town before the question was asked.  In response, the team created a board with a list of funding opportunities to address the question.  (see slide below)

 

The point behind the board was that lots of funding opportunities exist:  so the task becomes matching the funding source with the type of project being developed. 

After the board was done, team members began identifying opportunities not listed and we added a couple more ideas (see DOT Enhancement Grant and HOME Funds).  We could have added many others (like USDA Rural Development programs) as well, but decided the board wasn’t big enough.  In any case, the list is far from complete.

 

A bit of further advice

As I reflect on the slide, I can’t help but offer some further advice. 

People often worry about funding way too early in a project’s lifespan.  Rather than focus on money, community members should begin by prioritizing the community’s needs and developing a ranked list of projects that meet those needs. 

Once complete the community can take the first few projects off the list and begin developing them, including their cost estimates.  It is at this point that attention should be focused on both local resources and outside funding opportunities like those described on the board. 

At that point, projects either acquire the necessary funding or they don’t.  If they don’t, projects may have to go back on the list and wait.  The list may also need to be reprioritized.  It has been my experience, however, that if the project has merit, the support of the community, and is well thought out, the project will find its funding.   

I am offering this advice because it seems that if too much attention is directed at funding at the start, projects appear unrealistic and nothing ever gets started.   But if the energy goes into developing a good project that meets the community’s needs, the funding will eventually materialize.

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design:SD Rides the U

April 2nd, 2009

In the few short days since coming home from the design:South Dakota team’s charrette in Deuel County, I’ve been contemplating the process and experience. It’s always an exhausting and energizing trip at the same time. I’ve co-lead three d:SD charrettes now, and I’ve always tried to design our time in the community around the U Process.

This year, I think it worked as well as ever, and other team members commented on the magic of sticking with the process. One comment that I particularly loved: “It seemed like we sat there with all this chaos going around and we weren’t getting anything done for so long. We sat there and struggled. Then, all of a sudden, it was like everything came together and we got a bunch of boards done in no time becuase we really knew what we needed to make.”

It’s worth the headache and hassle of sitting in that mess for a while, patiently opening up for the solutions to emerge. And when they do, it’s go time. Beautiful.

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design:SD — Themes emerge

March 31st, 2009

Wow! We survived Design:SD. And I think the Deuel County (SD) community did as well.

While it was fun to work on design elements county-wide (rather than one community at a time), it challenged our time schedule, and made blogging from the event difficult.  After working late into Friday evening (the last boards were completed around 2:00 am), the team successfully presented the design boards to the community Saturday.  We heard some interesting comments following the event, and I think we sparked some “reimagination” among community residents.

I intend to produce several post-charrette articles over the next few days, including the presentation of the design boards.  Until they are ready, I will leave you with a brief summary of a few of the main themes that emerged during the charrette.

General Themes from the Charrette

Plan: Whether it’s the physical appearance of the community or economic development, creating plans will help the community use its limited financial resources more efficiently.

Develop gateways: The community could benefit from improving design elements that direct visitors to key public places. For instance, local residents may know how to get to Main Street, to the school, or to the city park, but visitors probably don’t. There are numerous design elements that could help, including signage.

Work together: Most rural communities have a strong history of coming together in times of need, and we definitely saw evidence of this in Deuel County. But all communities benefit by collaborating with other towns in the county as well as those outside the county.

Beautify Main Street: Each of the communities has an opportunity to improve the aesthetics of their main street areas. Doing so will send the message to visitors that something good is happening in the community and it can help spur retail development.

Photo:  Larry (standing) and TJ working on some architectural elements.

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design:SD — Team Orientation

March 26th, 2009

Design South Dakota got off to a start last evening with a reception and team orientation session at the 109 Club in Gary, SD.  It provided an opportunity for the design team (made of architects, planners, and community development specialists) to mix with community members and hear details of the following three days. 

Joe Bartmann, the project’s co-leader (along with Tom Reasoner) asked the team to remember two points that I’d like to share:

1.) Design like people matter. By this, Joe meant that “place matters.” And how people interact within places may be different. The team’s job is to capture how people will interact within their place, and then design to facilitate that interaction.

2.) Design Team’s job is to help the community have “new eyes”. From my perspective as a community development specialist, this is particularly important because residents rarely see the whole picture of their community. After looking at their community day-after-day, some elements of the community seem to disappear. We no longer see them, or at a minimum don’t see them the same way outsiders do. It’s the design team’s job to help people see their community in new ways.

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design:SD & “The 10 Principles of Livable Communities”

March 25th, 2009

When the Design: South Dakota process begins tomorrow in Deuel County, South Dakota, the group will rely on the American Institute for Architects’ (AIA) 10 Principles of Livable Communities.  Since most of us non-architects/designer are unfamiliar with the principles, I thought it might be helpful to provide a summary below. 

 

10 Principles of Livable Communities

1. Design on a Human Scale
Compact, pedestrian-friendly communities allow residents to walk to shops, services, cultural resources, and jobs and can reduce traffic congestion and benefit people’s health.

2. Provide Choices
People want variety in housing, shopping, recreation, transportation, and employment. Variety creates lively neighborhoods and accommodates residents in different stages of their lives.

3. Encourage Mixed-Use Development
Integrating different land uses and varied building types creates vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, and diverse communities.

4. Preserve Urban Centers
Restoring, revitalizing, and infilling urban centers takes advantage of existing streets, services and buildings and avoids the need for new infrastructure. This helps to curb sprawl and promote stability for city neighborhoods.

5. Vary Transportation Options
Giving people the option of walking, biking, and using public transit - in addition to driving - reduces traffic congestion, protects the environment, and encourages physical activity.

6. Build Vibrant Public Spaces
Citizens need welcoming, well-defined public places to stimulate face-to-face interaction, collectively celebrate and mourn, encourage civic participation, admire public art, and gather for public events.

7. Create a Neighborhood Identity
A “sense of place” gives neighborhoods a unique character, enhances the walking environment, and creates pride in the community.

8. Protect Environmental Resources
A well-designed balance of nature and development preserves natural systems, protects waterways from pollution, reduces air pollution, and protects property values.

9. Conserve Landscapes
Open space, farms, and wildlife habitat are essential for environmental, recreational, and cultural reasons.

10. Design Matters
Design excellence is the foundation of successful and healthy communities.

 

But what does this mean?

Some of the principles are easier to understand than others.  It will be the task of the designSD team to apply these principles within the context of the Deuel County community.  If you are looking to better understand the principles and how they apply to your community, I’d encourage you to check out the “Reflections on the most livable city:  How Pittsburg measures up to the AIA Principles of Livable Communities” article found on page 9 of the October 2007 issue of Columns magazine (a publication of AIA Pittsburg).  Pittsburg is hardly rural, but I think the short descriptions will help you see the applicability to your rural community. 

   

Other “10 Principles of Livable Community” resources

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