Whether trying to create 'districts' downtown (SONO - South of Nordstroms... sigh), or superimposing character on a neighborhood, is there a current vogue for naming things? The idea of 'branding' a few blocks of downtown seems a bit much like hoping that if they name it, it will come to fruition. I think in other places, there's a bit more of an organic development for such things. They gather momentum and a name happens when it should.
Gateways seem to be happening with road projects in Anchorage. So, whether a neighborhood is ready for it or not, there's an opportunity within funding to get one. As designers, we love to design things, so I think there's a temptation to try to develop something great for the neighborhood. It's not one percent for art, it's more 'graphic design for the landscape'. It's hard to be on a project and say, "this isn't the right place for one". That's why I'm curious as to whether we can develop criteria that could be used. This could be a fruitless or unnecessary task, but an interesting one (see collaboration link on left for Gateway Criteria). I think one of the issues is a funding one... with road projects, the capital funding is there... so, the urge is to use it. There likely won't be another pot of money for it again in the future...
When does good design go beyond reinforcing what's there (aesthetic planting & streetscape design) to upping the ante and branding things (gateway)?
Then, what's the definition of gateway? I'm using it as a larger iconic feature so far, but that's only one end of the gateway spectrum... really, a gateway can take many forms. So, perhaps I should be calling these objects "gateway features"... and they are incorporated into an overall gateway.
~peter
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its friday morning and i dont know if i'm adding my thoughts correctly, but a gateway seems like it should enhance or create a visual and/or physical THRESHOLD (capilized for importance), such as a gate in a fence. it seems like in order to be a gateway you pass 'through' it instead of 'by' it. that would make gateways' siting and orientation as important as the physical dimensions. coincidentally, the rogers' park sign is only a part of the gateway, (ie, gateway feature) as the provided landscape extends an invisible line to make the threshold. i personally think the turnagain sign is cool looking but you pass by it, its not accompanied by the threshold feel as its not physically adjacent to much of anything but the road, which dips again before getting to the 'neighborhood'. i'd say that perhaps another interesting example of gateway is the 'fairview' anchor, as it is a part of the perceptual threshold created by topography, speed limit and landscape (median/both sides or row heading into town and view of mountains heading out).
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