Comparing Mont Belvieu

I am not one to compare anything with anything else. There is usually a winner and a loser, which gives the winner arrogance and the loser a feeling of inferiority. However, in the case of city planning, it is often beneficial to look at other cities and determine which strategies are working and why.

I have been staying with a friend in the Woodlands while my wife is trying to sell our house Utah. There are several things that make the Woodlands an area of distinction. I wanted to highlight a few of those today.

First, the area has been very carefully planned. This is clear in the way that the natural environment blends in with the built. Trees are carefully preserved, while buildings and streets are thoughtfully laid out in a way that emphasizes the feeling of enclosure in the natural surroundings. Meandering streets create vistas that focus on the trees at the end of the streets, rather than on the street itself or on the horizon. The use of landscaped park strips and medians along the roadway serves to slow traffic and also heightens the feeling of natural beauty.

The way that signage is done is also an important aspect of the creation of an overall community character. These monument signs are low to the ground, elegant, and simple. They are not garish, but tastefully done. Signs done in this fashion do not overwhelm the natural surroundings - rather, they serve to highlight the business opportunity that exists within this area. Pole signs, very large billboard type signs, and signs with moving copy or images should be avoided for aesthetic and safety reasons. The kind of sign shown in this image further incorporates landscaping, which is aesthetically pleasing and further serves to highlight the sign and business.

The other thing that I would like to highlight is the existence of several wonderful public parks in the area. The one we went to on Saturday evening involved picnic areas, a large lake, playing fields, pavilions, tot lots, and a small amphitheater. This kind of facility creates such an amenity for the community that it is difficult to estimate its real worth. Parks are expensive to install and to maintain, but help to foster a sense of community and generate pride in the community. This is a fun place to gather, play, and renew ties with family and the community.

There are many communities that are doing wonderful things all over the world. As we strive to help Mont Belvieu remain unique and attractive, it is important to keep in mind things that make other areas successful so that we can learn from them and implement them into our community.

Next up: learning from Las Vegas (no, not Venturi...:-))