COMMUNITY CHARACTER

The models for walkable neighborhoods were imprinted on our collective psyche along the tree lined streets of "Father Knows Best" and "Leave It To Beaver". Cognizant of these values, baby-boomers and others gravitate to walkable neighborhoods and downtowns where desirable location demands extraordinary real estate value. However, when the lure of real estate appreciation beckons, settled neighborhoods are pulled apart and perfectly useful homes are torn down and thrown away. In their wake are found models of the new suburban imperative, with expansive floor areas, lavish amenities and significant demands on energy, schools and other services.
Effectively protecting community character requires a consensus about shared values, vision for positive change and respect for the rights of individuals and the community. Policy makers armed with the facts and a toolkit of strategic interventions can help to preserve desirable community character and reshape existing neighborhoods in a way that respects both the past and the future. The mature landscapes which have grown in around our neighborhoods are an important element of place and should be stewarded with care. Their scale and magnitude within the place should reflect the vision and represent the character of the community. Banisch Associates, Inc. works with communities to establish their vision and develop plans and strategies to get there.