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Invasive
Advertising I Development
Aesthetics I Community Outreach
Legislative Issues I National
Scenic Byways Program
Advertisers are constantly developing new methods and strategies for placing their message before the public. Too often, these strategies negatively affect the aesthetic quality of our community. Although the City of Dallas made progress in 2000 with the passage of an ordinance stopping construction of new billboards, alternative outdoor advertising methods are being utilized today. Scenic Dallas is committed to insuring that these new advertising methods do not diminish the aesthetic beauty of our city.
Landscaping—more
than just visually cool
There
are many good reasons to support initiatives incorporating landscaping into
urban planning. Trees lessen pollution because they trap dust, ash and smoke.
In Dallas, trees remove 2,600 metric tons of pollution every year—a
$14 million value.* Trees reduce heat in cities. Landscaped areas are from
3 to 10 degrees cooler than the surrounding areas, due to moisture emissions.
In large urban parks, temperatures can be as much as 7 degrees lower than
in surrounding neighborhoods.
Landscaping also makes good business sense. Well-landscaped urban areas attract new businesses, residents and shoppers. Landscapes utilizing native or adaptive species cost less to maintain, adding to business’ bottom lines. Go to News and select Victory for Scenic Dallas in 2003 Texas Legislative Session to read about our state's Green Ribbon Project.
*
According to studies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service
and the American Forestry Association.
Structural—the
aesthetics angle
Structures
such as cell towers and on/off-premise signage can negatively impact the
visual quality of our city. Focus is often placed on whether a structure
functions physically without regard to how it will be perceived aesthetically.
Visual design should be integral to any structure placed in or viewed from
a public space. Scenic Dallas will continue to monitor, inform and speak
out on your behalf. Our goal is to insure that these structures are in compliance
with City Code.
An informed community is a more vital community. We are raising the bar for the aesthetic quality of Dallas at the grassroots level through education. We welcome an invitation to visit with your business alliance, PTA, homeowners’ association, club or other interested group. Contributions to Scenic Dallas are gratefully accepted for this service. Go to Leadership_Contact_Us! and select Community Outreach in the Choose a Subject pull-down menu to make your request. Visit our Events/Links section to see our current calendar.
Maintaining
our city’s visual appeal requires progress and preservation.
We will raise awareness of the potential loss of existing scenic assets when
they are threatened, and work to protect and preserve the natural beauty
of our community.
We support urban forestry projects and tree planting that improve our city’s appearance.
Scenic Dallas monitors issues that may effect our visual environment. We contact the appropriate representatives regarding citizen concerns in these matters. At the city, state and federal levels of government, Scenic Dallas is keeping watch on behalf of the citizens of Dallas. Go to Action and select Speak_Out to see how you can help with issues of most current concern.
National Scenic Byways Program
As of mid-2003, 48 states have joined the National Scenic Byways Program. While the positive effects of this federal program are obvious, Texas has yet to join the scenic byways program through legislative action. Benefits include:
— Tourism income
— Federal funding
— Promotional and marketing services from
— the National Scenic Byways Program
— Increased land values
— A source of local pride generating preservation,
— conservation activities and respect for land
— Stimulates business opportunities for private landowners
— in rural communities
Scenic Dallas supports the efforts of Scenic Texas to add the great state
of Texas to our nation’s list of most beautiful destinations. Visit http://www.byways.org/ for
more information.