Urban Forests Create Vibrant Cities
A new report Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests: A National Call to Action, establishes a vision, highlights emerging trends, and culminates with a series of recommendations that can be applied to urban areas across the US.
Streetscape Improvements for Western Ave
As part of a TIF-funded project to improve Union Street, Western Avenue is seeing a significant streetscape project finally come to fruition. Located on the east side of Western between Union and High Streets, improved landscaping at this location has long been a goal. Begun by Main Street, the project was recently picked up by Christy Webber Landscape, who redesigned the block following the recommendations of the Blue Island Plan.
In the 2009 Blue Island Plan update charettes, streetscaping - in particular street trees - were the top priority for participants. With this in mind, CWL removed the existing confiers to be replaces with pedestrian friendly shade trees. The additional trees will also help combat the “heat island effect” by shading parking areas, as well as soak up stormwater, improving the quality of our waterways. Trees will be installed every 25 ft, with alternating shrubs and grasses.
It should come as no surprise that trees rated so high with our Uptown charette group. Retail research has shown the importance of environmental cues. A University of Washington study (2009) showed that consumer ratings increase with the presence of trees. “Trees were associated with higher ratings of amenity and visual quality,” the report’s author noted in Main Street News. They also found that shoppers traveled longer distances, more often, and will spend more time in commercial districts that are green with street trees. Not only that, when comparing the prices of goods, respondents associated higher price points with tree-lined commercial districts.
