Visual Quality of Project
A downtown commercial building will be renovated into a resale clothing shop and a day care center. Six images were chosen to represent the proposed development area. The images represent typical vacant land and buildings in the downtown business district. Preference, safety and expert opinions obtained from a class evaluation were used to compare each image. Proposed changes to the site and their resulting effects on the visual quality will be discussed.
Negative aspects of scene: no vegetation, no water, few occupants, no amenities, poor deliniation of spaces
Why they are negative: nearby buildings are abandoned perhaps due to industry leaving, area is deserted, terrain is rough, may be located next to a body of water which could be polluted, many telephone or electric poles obstructing view
How to make them positive: plantings, fountain in the playground area, shoppers and children around the building, pay phone, city trash can, bus stop
Negative aspects of scene: no water, accumulated trash, trees not healthy-looking, homes in background may be run down, old advertisement on building looks bad, not safe to cross road here
Why they are negative: building may be abandoned, vacant lot attracts trash dumping, no one (including city) has resources to maintain trees
How to make them positive: clean up trash, maintain a dumpster, take ad off of building, improve landscape, maintain trees, build fence to enclose recreation area, bus stop, increase lighting (Click here to see these changes)
Negative aspects of scene: no water, no parking, no visual order, unfriendly to a childcare atmosphere
Why they are negative: signs of abandonment
How to make them positive: Our proposal would increase the positive family environment, increase pedestrian usage with added crosswalks, discourage any negative activities, increase lighting, and positively affect the aesthetics of the streetscape.
Negative aspects of scene: no vegetation, no water
Why they are negative: no space between buildings, no trees or plants along sidewalks
How to make them positive: Our proposal would include an increase in vegetation due to our recreation area, increase pedestrian usage, begin and encourage economic growth on the block, increase human activity along the block, and bring back to life the storefronts.
Negative aspects of scene: only one tree (pine) appearing behind bus-stop, no water, sidewalk too close to street (no parkway), intersection controlled by stop sign (may make street difficult to cross), irregular building heights, chimney in background, store fronts heavily labelled (gives haphazard appearance), building colors match however sign colors are too contrasting, one corner heavily shaded by buildings, potential for heavy amount of auto pollutants.
Why they are negative: Site is well used by both pedistrians and vehicle. Buildings seem to be occupied with buisnesses. However, there is an over-use of store front signs. Public works(streets and sidewalks) are in good condition. Trash has been kept to a minimun. Streetlights provide some nighttime security.
How to make them positive: Our recreation area will add vegetation; new construction may cut back on amount of signs; recreation area will be accessible to the public; day care will create a cultural center for mothers and young children; proximity of child care may encourage local businesses; recreation area will add a small water fountain.
Negative aspects of scene: complete lacking of vegetation, single large building predominates view, modern building nearby, sidewalk very close to street, no water, background buildings look run-down
Why they are negative: This site appears well used by cars and pedistrians. Traffic lights at the nearest intersection suggest that the streets are larger and more traveled. Walgreens provides a recognizable name and may prove to attrach people and buisnesses. The area is free from trash and graffitti.
How to make them positive: Our recreation area will add vegetation and a small water fountain and be accessible to the public; the day care will create a cultural center for mothers and young children; proximity of Walgreens, child care, clothing shop and bank would be a huge attraction for new businesses; the appearance of the background buildings will be significantly improved.