Design Matters
by Edward McMahon
Good design can mean more jobs, more tourists, and increased property values.
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From PCJ #21, Winter 1996
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Mayor John Bullard of New Bedford, Massachusetts put it this
way, "Challenge anyone to name his or her favorite place and
then ask why." Many of the reasons that attractive places are
attractive have to do with design. Without thoughtful attention
to design, a town will become "Anywhere USA." Design of a
community communicates what it is.
Design is also important because it relates directly to economic
development and equals cold hard cash for many communities.
Mayor Michael Polovitz of Grand Forks, North Dakota observed
that, "Design reflects on the city as a whole. How a city looks
to new businesses is very important to whether or not a business
locates in your city." Likewise, Mayor David Musante of
Northampton, Massachusetts noted, "Design relates directly to an
impression of livability and economic vitality. It has a major
impact on our city."
Good design is especially important to those communities seeking
to attract tourists and their dollars. This is because the more
a community does to protect and enhance its unique
characteristics, whether natural or man-made, the more tourists
it will attract. On the other hand, the more a community comes
to resemble everyplace else, the less reason there is to visit.
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