Urban Pocket
This alt. series visualizes how placemaking methods would work in our daily urban settings.
Using [vacant lots] for parking is the lowest possible investment for landowners to generate quick revenue. Urban pockets like this reduce pedestrians’ recreation opportunities during the day and cause a dark spot during the night. However, Creative Placemaking can help the land owners have an alternative low-cost investment but achieve a higher return on investment by bringing seasonal festivals and temporary small businesses to locations like this. That variety of activities creates a versatile economy and brings a more elevated social impact to the neighborhoods.
Garden District
The main attraction in this place is the Garden District and its adjacent small businesses.
The Garden District is a wildly popular beer garden and barbecue shack on 14th Street. Most of the action is outdoors in the tradition of beer gardens, with a few tables and a bar indoors. It is also a hangout place for the growing millennial community.
See where it is on the Story Map and Google Map ]
Pocket Map
The Creative Placemaking strategy uses a Logan Circle map to cover this high-potential urban pocket. The map pattern extends to the adjacent building façade to highlight its architectural features. The Logan Circle Map also serves as a wayfinding tool. Wayfinding features enhance intuition and make it easier for users to orient themselves to navigate from place to place.
See Connectivity and Mobility for more about "wayfinding"
Did you know? Exhibit a large map mural could also achieve one of the SITES credits: Provide optimum site accessibility, safety and wayfinding. "create an environment that makes it easy and intuitive for users to orient themselves and navigate from place to place." (Site Design-Human Health + Well-Being)
The Hidden Functions
The grey street grid can hide necessary external outlets or utility cables. Solar panels help to relieve the energy demands of temporary activities in this urban pocket. Continuing DC's teardrop light fixtures along this corridor will emphasize its character.
See why teardrop light is so unique to this place
Those external outlets could also support amenities, services, and activities in this pocket space. Such as food concessions, outdoor dining areas, or seating opportunities.
Did you know? Providing outdoor gathering spaces to strengthen community could achieve one of SITES credits: Support social connection. "providing outdoor spaces to encourage social connection" (Site Design-Human Health + Well-Being)
Mix on the Ground
The color pallet is based on the existing local small businesses (crimson red from the "Garden District," golden yellow from "Chicken + Whiskey."
Blending two vibrant colors into the pavement design will connect these two open lots. The identity of these two distinct neighborhoods will also connect through these two open spaces with multiple activities.
The weekend farmer's market, artist festivals, or even outdoor movie screens would create activities that echo each other during different event seasons.
Did you know? Choosing the right surface element could also reduce noise, mitigate negative distractions, and further support mental restoration. Quiet pavement can help reduce noise by as much as 7 decibels (dB), according to a 2013 World Road Association study. Another material, polyurethane surface, is also known for lower road noise. To give you an idea of the impact of reducing noise by 3 dB, doubling the distance from the noise source to the listeners would be equivalent to doubling the space from the noise source.
For more resources, see Noise from APA.