Redevelopment Strategies: Visual Imprinting
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4790-visualimprintingweb.jpg)
In our continuing discussion on redevelopment strategies, We take a look at Visual Imprinting and its profound effect on both any space and its end users.
From Rooms to Streets to Cities, what we see around us in the physical environment forms a visceral expectation that is often a self fulfilling prophecy.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jul-redevelopment-strategies-visual-imprinting
Visual imprinting seems to be a cousin of the "broken windows" theory in which the state of the environment has an affect on individuals actions (ie, crime).
Great article Stephen.
Another powerful way to improve perception is to actually physically improve the look. All it takes is community organization to clean up trash, cut the grass in vacant lots, trim some trees, plant some trees, and even throw on a coat of paint where necessary. Add that to the simple activities explained above and a lot of change can happen.
And great point fsu813. People are mor likely to comit crime (especially vandalism) in areas that are perceived as run down or where it appears no one cares anyways.
Oh, for the extra credit, pictures
2,4,7,9
are from Jax
I know this would be one of the more expensive aspects but bright lighting in a downtown makes a world of difference.
3rd & Main should be having a grand opening "party" not too long from now.....
Any student of history can tell you that Adolph Hitler was a genius at visual imprinting. Flags, marches, incredible uniforms, pageants, parades, clubs, organizations, rallies, more flags, banners and more banners, kiss the flag, salute the leader, be a storm trooper as opposed to a regular trooper, lightning war... A sea of misdirected testosterone that cost the lives of 60 million people. Why? Visual Imprinting. Stephen is right when he says make sure it is reviewed and free of biggoted, sexist or other vile things because as the Germans proved, it certainly does work.
Another genius of the art was former mayor Jake Godbold. Jake painted streets, painted bridges, had navy flyovers, neighborhood festivals, street parties, sports teams out the yazoo, fireworks, lasers and God only knows what else. Though Jake is responsible for the lack of Light Rail, and our failed Skyway as a replacement technology, he was also responsible for a renaissance of Jacksonville Pride, determination and grit with an unlimited first tier future. Love you Jake, you are the man! I wish we had 1,000 more Jake's in town, we wouldn't be needing these lessons.
OCKLAWAHA
Hey Nicole! We've been "imprinting"!
Wait until you see how we IMPRINT the 1600 block of Ionia.