My favorite city I have ever visited is Charleston, South Carolina. There are gardens, beautiful architecture, interesting stories (some of them true) about the history of the town, custom ironwork, open air markets, and incredible food. It is a place where you can get lost in the details, wander the streets for hours, and feel right at home the entire time. History comes alive and continues to unfold over time.
I have visited Charleston many times, but have never lived there. My view of the city is from the perspective of a tourist. It caters to those coming for a few days and provides a welcoming atmosphere to give you reason to come back. The city has a soul and you see it in the streets, homes, and people. You feel it in the air. The texture, movement, colors, open air market, and style that all meld into an idealistic place.
So what makes a city welcoming, inviting, unique? Does your city have a soul that you can feel walking through town?
As I walk through downtown Harrisonburg there are glimpses of the soul of the city. There are storefronts that add texture, murals that give context, and history hidden in the buildings.
What elements have you seen in cities that tie together and build pride of place? What would you like to see downtown that tells the history of place and builds a welcoming culture to those living here, as well as those just visiting for just a few days? How can we make Harrisonburg a truly friendly city? In your words, what makes a city welcoming, inviting, unique?
