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C h a p t e r 2 M e t r ic s of S ucc e s s f u l D owntowns
Human-Scaled Details
Several design details are critical to the public realm in downtowns. Some are: pedestrian lighting; seating; landscaping; the arrangement of windows and doors on buildings; and sidewalk width. They contribute to a human scaled environment where people feel comfortable and safe. Designing places for people is a key tenet of successful placemaking.
Land Use Diversity
Highly active downtowns not only need a mix of uses within the core but also a significant number of residential units and employment centers within a five to ten minute walk. This diversity of land uses contributes to the number of people within walking distance to downtown retail and public amenities.
Street Design
Downtown streets should accommodate two way multi- modal traffic flow and provide on-street parking for retail patrons. Streets should include comfortable sidewalks for pedestrians with street trees and a variety of furnishings.
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