WHO: Can Do! Signs, A Knight Cities Challenge Winner
WHAT: 8 new Can Do! signs will be installed at various locations in Charlotte, including one inspired by the winner of the #CanDoContest and Eastway Middle School’s Circle De Luz.
WHERE: For a complete list of new signs please visit CanDoSigns.org
WHEN: Signs to be installed on March 5th.
WHY: Public spaces are typically designed as places where people can come together and do the things that they enjoy, in public. However, signage generally lists prohibited activities. No trespassing after dusk. No feeding the geese. No. No. No! These negative messages can have a disheartening effect.
The goal of the signage is to flip the typical usage of signs. Instead, this project asked the community what they want to do, and created signs that give users of public space amusing, enchanting and fun options. They also share messages of trust and invite people to interact. You can dance! You can high five a friend! You can meet someone new!
The 8 new signs scheduled for installment are inspired by feedback received in an idea generating contest, #CanDoContest, through social media, and from Eastway Middle School’s youth Circle De Luz. The winners of the contest are Laura Peres, representative of the First Ward Neighbors, and Laurie Duke, City of Charlotte employee. Their concept, “You can look up at the sky. What do you see floating” will be posted in First Ward Park. The sign designed by Circle De Luz, “Corre com tu perro” (translation: “Run with your dog”) will be posted at the Evergreen Nature Preserve. A series of dance inspired signs will run along North Davidson street inviting passersby’s to show off their best moves. Please visit the project website to check out the rest of the signs and locations.
The project is run out of the City Manager’s Office and the Urban Design team in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Department. The messages on all signs have been crafted through engagement. Each sign includes a message and hashtag (#CanDoSigns) encouraging people to share what they love to do in that public space. Last fall, the City partnered with the Center for Active Design to conduct a nation survey aimed at evaluating positive signage’s effect on civic engagement outcomes. Can Do Signs, when compared to typical rules-based signage, result in increased level of pride in community and an increase in the perception that City cares about its public space users. Big impact for a little sign!
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The Knight Cities Challenge seeks new ideas that make the 26 communities where Knight invests more vibrant places to live and work. The challenge is offering a share of up to $5 million for innovative projects that answer the question: What’s your best idea to make cities more successful?
The challenge is open to innovators of all types: architects, activists, artists, city planners, entrepreneurs, students, educators, city officials, as well as governments and organizations.