ARTICLES
The Original Articles archives of CharacterTowns.org presents papers that discuss practical and conceptual ideas for designing, building and managing character towns and small cities that are interesting, pleasant and prosperous places for residents, businesses and visitors.
The Mind Boggling History of City Recycling
Ever wondered about the history of city recycling? As someone who oversees your local community recycling programs, it’s good to know where you’ve been, so you can see where you’re going. The coronavirus pandemic has brought many things into sharp focus for Public Works Directors, and other leaders who work to keep our cities clean […]
The Most Important Global Meeting You’ve Probably Never Heard Of Is Now
Countries are gathering in an effort to stop a biodiversity collapse that scientists say could equal climate change as an existential crisis. As 20,000 government leaders, journalists, activists and celebrities from around the world prepare to descend on Glasgow for a crucial climate summit starting late this month, another high-level international environmental meeting got started […]
The Multiple Benefits of Co-Located Infrastructure
CONCEPT. “Multiple Benefits” is a great concept in normal times; in times of economic stress, it is an exceptional concept. The basic idea is that a single action can produce more than one benefit. One dollar of expense, if thoughtfully expended, can produce more than one dollar’s worth of value, or benefit. Consider: Much like […]
The Multiple Benefits of Co-Located Public Venues.
CONCEPT. “Multiple Benefits” is a great concept in normal times; in times of economic stress, it is an exceptional concept. The basic idea is that a single action can produce more than one benefit. One dollar of expense, if thoughtfully expended, can produce more than one dollar’s worth of value, or benefit. Consider: “Killing two […]
The Multiple Benefits of Co-Located Public Venues
CONCEPT. “Multiple Benefits” is a great concept in normal times; in times of economic stress, it is an exceptional concept. The basic idea is that a single action can produce more than one benefit. One dollar of expense, if thoughtfully expended, can produce more than one dollar’s worth of value, or benefit. Consider: Much like […]
The Multiple Benefits of Collaboration among the Community Education Venues.
COMMONALITY OF MISSION. Community education venues, i.e., schools, theaters, museums, galleries and parks, all have an education mission. Entertainment, exercise and socialization are undoubtedly part of the picture and in some cases even primary. But the commonality of their shared missions leads to common participants, facilities, networks and funding sources. What if the distinct educational, […]
The National Climate Assessment
The Global Change Research Act of 1990 mandates that the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) deliver a report to Congress and the President no less than every four years that “1) integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the Program…; 2) analyzes the effects of global change on the naturalenvironment, agriculture, energy production and use, […]
The National Public Housing Museum Eyes a 2021 Opening
The museum will tell the history of American public housing in a remnant of a 1930s public housing complex on Chicago’s Near West Side. When you’re working to establish a museum with such contested subject matter as the National Public Housing Museum (NPHM), it pays to have a few shorthand expressions within easy reach, lest […]
The Neighborhood Safe.
NEIGHBORHOOD PRIMACY. The primary mission of every city, as has been mentioned many times by CharacterTowns.org, is to protect people and households in their homes and neighborhoods. Neighborhood safety is the paramount issue of every city. THE ROLE OF CITIES IN ASSURING SAFETY. Safety is a concern in many aspects of live. “Street crimes” are […]
The Neighborhood Safe.
THE ROLE OF CITIES IN ASSURING SAFETY. Government exists for a reason; the reason becomes clear in a disaster or emergency. The primary reason is to keep citizens safe in their homes, neighborhoods and elsewhere. Since planning is the art and science of anticipating events and taking actions to prevent or mitigate potential dangers, neighborhood […]
The Neighborhood Sociable.
PLANNING AND DESIGNING NEIGHBORHOODS TO CREATE SOCIAL CAPITAL. Complete neighborhoods, the ones with homes, apartments, parks, schools and shops, give us a sense of belonging, a sense of continuity, a sense of ownership, a sense of responsibility for the “the greater good.” A complete, livable neighborhood has a comfortable and equitable balance of the physical, […]
The Neighborhood Sustainability Premise.
NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINABILITY. Equity. Neighborhood sustainability is achieved when the economic, social and physical aspects of the neighborhood are in balance and societal equity is achieved. The “middle class” lifestyle best epitomizes the balance envisioned for a sustainable neighborhood. The wealthy exist in proper proportion and the less fortunate have the necessary support systems to make […]
The One Thing All Great Teachers Do
FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
The Physical Framework
The physical framework of a small city or town immediately establishes the character of the place. Ugly, ill-kept and poorly maintained streets, parks, schools, neighborhoods and downtowns eliminate the possibility that anyone living or visiting the town will regard the place as a place of good character. So, as much as initial investment in private […]
The Post Office
A “Relic” that Keeps on Giving Main Street Post Offices are Alive and Well. United States Post Offices draw people to their downtown locations. They provide an incredible service; for a small amount of money they carry a letter across the country. Post Offices have traditionally been the place where people collected their mail, but not so much today. With email, UPS and […]
The Power of Exhibitions and Fairs.
CELEBRATIONS. The Power of Exhibitions and Fairs is great as promoters of economic development. Cities of all sizes have festivals, book fairs, sporting events and founder’s day parades. The big city “once in a lifetime” events are the most obvious and most memorable: The Columbian Exhibition of 1893, also known as the Chicago World Fair; […]
The Power of Exhibitions and Fairs
to educate, promote economic development and enhance civic pride. SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS HAVE MUCH TO CELEBRATE. Every city and town has something to celebrate: an historic event, the birthday of a famous resident or a reoccurring natural phenomena. If there is not an indigenous celebratory event or person, grab from the regional, state or […]
The Power of Exhibitions and Fairs to educate, promote economic development and enhance civic pride.
CELEBRATIONS. Every city and town has something to celebrate: an historic event, the birthday of a famous resident or a re-occurring natural phenomena. If there is not an indigenous celebratory event or person, grab on from the regional, state or national scene. Find something to celebrate in a public way. State fairs serve this purpose, […]
The Power of Exhibitions and Fairs to educate, promote economic development and enhance civic pride.
CELEBRATIONS. Every city and town has something to celebrate: an historic event, the birthday of a famous resident or a reoccurring natural phenomenon. If there is not an indigenous celebratory event or person, grab one from the regional, state or national scene. Find something to celebrate in a public way. State fairs serve this purpose, […]
The Primacy of Neighborhoods.
NEIGHBORHOODS MATTER. The first responsibility of every city is to protect the homes and neighborhoods of its citizens. Neighborhood preservation, protection and enhancement are critical activities for every city to be a prosperous and pleasant place to live. The first step in city planning is to embrace the primacy of neighborhood; to fully commit to […]