Seven sure steps to reactivate your neighborhood

A vibrant public realm leads to successful businesses and additional economic opportunity. Here's seven sure fire ways to reactivate your community without breaking the piggy bank.

<h1>5. Architectural/Landscape Lighting</h1> Night lighting in Mexico City highlights the city’s unique collection of historic stock.

If you stumble upon a great street or neighborhood, it will most likely be characterized as having a “sense of place”. In a physical sense, it is a space that possess uncommon characteristics that differentiates it from the region’s greater surroundings.

While most planners and community advocates focus on features such as landscaping, street design, pavement and architecture, night lighting is a simple “sense of place” option that is largely overlooked. Not only can effective lighting strategies highlight unique features in an urban setting, the illumination of dark areas also enhances safety and one’s perception of feeling safe.