Sometimes it’s the little things that make a neighborhood more inviting.
Architecture and visual heterogeneity help to create a community’s identity. Take these street signs in Portland. They are simple and likely not very expensive yet they give cohesion and distinction to the neighborhoods they’re found in. Portland’s aren’t in every neighborhood, but they are found in many of the historic, entertainment, or up-and-coming districts. Buffalo has many pressing needs, and cohesive streetscaping has not been a priority. Perhaps baby steps are in order.