cityplanner.ca
Discussing big picture urban/city planning and design issues.
Jun 16, 2010
When you fly to a new city, does it feel good to be there? Does it feel like you have arrived somewhere special? Is there anything positive which greets you?
An airport is a very common way for people to be initially introduced to your city, and it provides a great opportunity to say "Welcome" to visitors (and "Welcome home" to your local citizens)...
In the case of Omaha, the airport itself is a bit dated, but a brightly coloured sign caught my eye upon getting off the plane and entering the terminal.
I've noticed that Edmonton's airport has improved in this respect, by adding posters and advertising for local services. The city has spent considerable money upgrading the airport, and it now features public art and welcome banners.
Omaha's Eppley Airport was also very clean, and there were posters indicating that it had been chosen as the Cleanest Airport in the USA, I believe.
Coming down the escalator which directed people to the baggage claim area, I was greeted with a wall full of local services and information, including my hotel, and I was easily able to use the well-placed courtesy phone to call for a shuttle.
Upon leaving the airport, which is located very close to the centre of town, the drive out is along a scenic boulevard, with colourful landscaping/flowers, and well-placed trees and light standards. There are signs indicating that the upgrade to the boulevard was completed recently, and large artistic fixtures have been added as well. The boulevard reminds me of my drive in from the Phoenix, Arizona and Mazatlan, Mexico airports.
The same rules could be applied to any point of entry in your city, including bus stations and train stations, many of which could use an upgrade today.
Of course, there are many historic "Grand Central Stations" still in existence, though not necessarily serving a transportation function anymore, which traditionally aided the sense of arrival and served to greet visitors in a large way, often with impressive architecture, stonework and arches. Visit one of these stations and make a point to look around and imagine yourself arriving for the first time with thousands of other people to a bustling station in the 1920s.
An airport is a very common way for people to be initially introduced to your city, and it provides a great opportunity to say "Welcome" to visitors (and "Welcome home" to your local citizens)...
In the case of Omaha, the airport itself is a bit dated, but a brightly coloured sign caught my eye upon getting off the plane and entering the terminal.
I've noticed that Edmonton's airport has improved in this respect, by adding posters and advertising for local services. The city has spent considerable money upgrading the airport, and it now features public art and welcome banners.
Omaha's Eppley Airport was also very clean, and there were posters indicating that it had been chosen as the Cleanest Airport in the USA, I believe.
Coming down the escalator which directed people to the baggage claim area, I was greeted with a wall full of local services and information, including my hotel, and I was easily able to use the well-placed courtesy phone to call for a shuttle.
Upon leaving the airport, which is located very close to the centre of town, the drive out is along a scenic boulevard, with colourful landscaping/flowers, and well-placed trees and light standards. There are signs indicating that the upgrade to the boulevard was completed recently, and large artistic fixtures have been added as well. The boulevard reminds me of my drive in from the Phoenix, Arizona and Mazatlan, Mexico airports.
The same rules could be applied to any point of entry in your city, including bus stations and train stations, many of which could use an upgrade today.
Of course, there are many historic "Grand Central Stations" still in existence, though not necessarily serving a transportation function anymore, which traditionally aided the sense of arrival and served to greet visitors in a large way, often with impressive architecture, stonework and arches. Visit one of these stations and make a point to look around and imagine yourself arriving for the first time with thousands of other people to a bustling station in the 1920s.
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Contact Myron Belej, MCIP, AICP at myron@cityplanner.ca to:
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Contact Myron Belej, MCIP, AICP at myron@cityplanner.ca to:
- invite Myron to speak at a conference or event
- feature a version of this article in another publication
- inquire about Myron's consulting or coaching services
- request more information
Learn more about 'How to Hire Myron'.