What Makes a Town Great?

Bob Pest

On December 12, architect Steve Auterman of the Memphis-based architecture firm Looney Rocks Kiss (LRK) spoke to an open public gathering on the campus of Lyon College in Batesville about ideas for development of the city’s White River Waterfront.  Auterman’s presentation was the culmination of five months of study and conversations with community leaders concluding with a three day series of focused meetings, also held on the Lyon campus.

Auterman‘s presentation began with a discussion of the attributes of great towns, drawing for numerous examples from the extensive list of communities the firm has worked with.  The following list is borrowed from Auterman’s presentation, with my own comments.  It is a useful tool, sort of like an annual community check-up.

Great Physical Attributes.  Nature is the greatest architect.  Trees, springs, bluffs, rivers, lakes, rock formations, and unique, well-maintained flora create lasting visual impressions and moments of inspiration for visitors and residents alike.

Quality Public Spaces.  Public spaces are the living room of a community and need to be inviting.  Parks, trails, town squares, community centers, even sidewalks reflect a community’s values and commitment to excellence.

Memorable Visual Reminders and Branding.  Banners on utility poles, “welcome” and “come back” signs, consistent design elements, and a memorable slogan, like “Your Place in the Mountains,” impress visitors and create pride among residents.

Connection to Nature.  Natural assets properly maintained and open to the public define many flourishing communities.  The protection and preservation of these assets is an investment that pays interest in perpetuity.  

Walkability.  Walking is the ultimate way to experience a community, its sights, its sounds, and its people. When you see lots of people out walking you are seeing a “healthy” community, in both sense of the word. Sidewalks and benches can make all the difference in the quality of the walking experience.

Urban and Rural Attributes.  Towns can develop vibrant urban centers while maintaining respect for and even showcasing rural lands and features that may be only a short distance from the center of town.

Great Inhabitants.  A diverse, engaged community is a never-ending celebration of ideas, art, food, music, and humanity. Strong, stable communities embrace their diversity.

Strong Employment Base.  The global economy is forcing every community to be innovative and aggressive when it comes to keeping existing businesses and attracting new ones.  Great communities are never caught by surprise when it comes to maintaining their employment base.
New models, such as telecommuting, give communities compelling reasons to push for broad-band internet. Leveling the internet playing field is essential to maintaining (and growing) a pool of workers equipped for 21st century jobs.  There is a growing population of individuals whose internet-based work enables them to live anywhere.  Why not your town?

Great Schools. Great schools are the single most important factor for many businesses when choosing a community to locate or relocate.

Attraction and Retention of Talent.  Rural communities, in particular, suffer from a steady exodus of their most talented young people.  To remain vital, communities must do whatever it takes to retain at least some of their “best and brightest.”

Pride and History.  The Ozarks region is rich with historic assets.  Towns of all sizes are blessed with historic sites and structures that can both engender pride in the community and, when presented effectively, attract visitors.

Self-Reinvention.  Nothing lasts forever and vital communities understand the need for and embrace the opportunity to re-invent themselves as external forces demand. 

Fun.  Whether it’s a playground or a concert hall, communities need to provide and maintain places where people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds can enjoy themselves and forget the work-a-day world, if only for a few hours on Sunday afternoon. Where do people “really” have fun in your town?

The above list is neither comprehensive nor definitive, but it’s a great place to start thinking about your own town?  If it doesn’t measure up, is it a blip or a trend?  Once you identify the opportunities for improvement. Ask yourself how you, your family, and your friends can at least start the ball rolling.  Towns need care, they need nurturing, and every once in a while they need some fresh paint . . . and some fresh ideas. 

What makes your town great?  A better question is How can you make it greater?