LIVABLE MEMPHIS Winter 2012 Promoting Healthy Growth in the Memphis Region T H R I V E T H R I V E is the newsletter of Livable Memphis, a program of the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. Representing over 125 neighborhoods from across the greater Memphis region, Livable Memphis supports the development and redevelopment of healthy, vibrant, and economically sustainable communities. We do this by educating community members, promoting public policies that mitigate urban sprawl and direct investment to existing neighborhoods; and advocating for public and active transportation options that are safe, user-friendly, and accessible to all residents. HOW WE GOT STARTED: In 2005, a diverse group of community developers, environmentalists, transportation activists, financial institutions, and philanthropic foundations convened to explore a community wide response to the effects of sprawl. They shared the common goal of supporting equitable and efficient growth in Shelby County and the greater Memphis region. Livable Memphis was created as an initiative of the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. Its goals include: building a broad base of support, researching patterns of growth expenditures, providing education on issues that affect community vitality, and offering a grassroots input into policy decisions. 1548 Poplar Avenue Memphis TN 38104 www.livablememphis.org (901) 725-8370 In a city so dependent on a car to get around, how can we encourage people to walk and bike to nearby destinations? Over the past few months, Walk Bike Memphis (a Livable Memphis initiative) has been working to develop inexpensive, yet impactful tactics to encourage people to use active transit. Inspired by Matt Tomasulo’s wayfinding campaign in Raleigh, Walk Bike Memphis has installed temporary way finding signs in strategic places around the city, including Overton Square, South Memphis and Crosstown. These signs are meant to make people more aware of their surroundings and to show them how long it would take to walk or bike to a nearby restaurant or community amenity. A barcode on the sign brings up a map and directions on a pedestrian’s cell phone. It’s a simple way to help activate areas, to address concerns about obesity and to engage urban citizens in a larger discussion about transportation equality within Memphis. The guerrilla wayfinding signage, although placed sparingly around the city, has recently gained attention from the Downtown Memphis Commission. We are currently exploring the potential of developing these signs downtown. (continued on page 6) 1 Guerrilla Wayfinding Signs Help Promote Walking and Biking By Elizabeth Saba, Livable Memphis Program Coordinator Walk Bike Memphis signage
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LIVABLE MEMPHIS Winter 2012 Promoting Healthy Growth in the Memphis Region
T H R I V E T H R I V E is the newsletter of Livable Memphis, a program of the Community
Development Council of Greater Memphis. Representing over 125 neighborhoods from
across the greater Memphis region, Livable Memphis supports the development and
redevelopment of healthy, vibrant, and economically sustainable communities. We do this
by educating community members, promoting public policies that mitigate urban sprawl
and direct investment to existing neighborhoods; and advocating for public and active
transportation options that are safe, user-friendly, and accessible to all residents.
HOW WE GOT STARTED: In 2005, a diverse group of community developers, environmentalists, transportation activists, financial institutions, and philanthropic foundations convened to explore a community wide response to the effects of sprawl. They shared the common goal of supporting equitable and efficient growth in Shelby County and the greater Memphis region. Livable Memphis was created as an initiative of the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. Its goals include: building a broad base of support, researching patterns of growth expenditures, providing education on issues that affect community vitality, and offering a grassroots input into policy decisions.