Self-Guided Course

Design: Assessing Community Assets

Creating vibrant and sustainable Main Street districts starts with understanding and leveraging the assets that already exist in a community.

Strong Design begins with seeing what you already have. This course shows you how to identify, map, and elevate the physical, cultural, and economic assets that shape your district’s unique sense of place.

Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Starting Formal Learning: 100 points

A group of people gathers on a sidewalk under leafy trees in downtown Stevenson, Washington. They appear to be engaged in conversation or a walking tour. A signpost labeled 'Stevenson, Washington' is visible in the background, along with parked vehicles and a tree-lined street. — Stevenson, Washington. Photo by Alicia Gallo.

Overview

Course Outline

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Describe best practices for walkability, accessibility, and safety in public spaces.
Identify strategies for enhancing streetscapes, wayfinding, and signage.
Explain how public art and placemaking contribute to a district’s identity.
Recognize how zoning policies and design guidelines influence community development.
Develop an approach for integrating small-scale design improvements into work plans.

Section 1: Introduction
- 1.1 Welcome
- 1.2 Course Design & Engagement
- 1.3 Meet Your Subject Matter Expert(s)
Section 2: Design: Assessing Community Assets
- Design: Assessing Community Assets
Section 3: Conclusion
- 3.1 Final Takeaways
- 3.2 Main Street Convo
- 3.3 Survey