The Wisdom in Fences
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared at ReThink Main Street. It is republished here with permission.
College Avenue in Ashland, VA. A home that acknowledges and curates the boundaries between public and private
Most people are likely familiar with the old adage, “Good fences make good neighbors”. In short, those in a community are likely to have a healthier relationship with each other if they respect each others’ boundaries and all subscribe to a clear set of rules and responsibilities. So the other side of the coin is that, if the guidelines for conduct are ambiguous or unclear, it creates tension between both (or all) parties.
So what do we do? We remove the ambiguity. We create a set of visual rules to follow by clarifying and demarcating exactly where those boundaries are. We put up a lovely picket fence between our property and the property our neighbor. One side is his responsibility, and the other side is ours. As a result, we know that we are clearly permitted to go anywhere in our yard, right up to our side of the fence line, as he is on his side. Problem solved. That was easy!
While we understand the principle that a clear set of rules is helpful in maintaining a healthy relationship between our next-door neighbors and ourselves, it is often forgotten when it comes to how we interact with our other neighbors, those on the street. In this instance, we (the property owners) also want to establish a clear set of rules for those passing in front of our house or business. If there isn’t a clear delineation between what is public and private, one is likely to encroach on the other; both parties will inhabit an uncomfortable gray area due to the lack of clearly understandable boundaries. This tension manifests itself by people being less likely to use the space in the first place.
However, if we lay out the ground rules well, even a new visitor to an area will have a very clear sense of where they are allowed to wander, as well as where they should wait to be invited before entering. While these rules seem like they would be overly burdensome and too limiting to be useful, the opposite is actually true.
Bellevue Avenue in Richmond, VA. With a row of trees on one side and fencing and/or vegetation on the right, it is clear where the pedestrian is permitted to be and that they can feel safe when walking down this ‘corridor’.
Prospect and Refuge
This is because, as humans, we are wired to seek out what is known as “prospect and refuge,” where we can clearly look out upon an area (prospect) without being seen ourselves (refuge). Military commanders see it in a strong defensive position, hunters see it in a duck blind, wallflowers see it in the corner of a room at a party, and school children see it in a desk at the rear of the classroom. We want to be able to see as much as possible ourselves, while limiting the degree to which we are seen by others.
The ability to do this well was a key skill our early ancestors had to learn the hard way. As a result, it is hardwired into our brain that we appreciate the confines of spaces, since they limit the number of directions from which enemies or predators can approach. Once we understand the “rules” of a space, we are able to more fully devote our brains to things that don’t involve minimizing the chances of being eaten by a large predator.
Providing clear boundaries to spaces (which we look/prospect out towards), and places to be around the edges (the safe refuge, where our back is to a wall from which we can observe), let the passersby know that they are allowed and encouraged to walk here, so long as they take a permitted route. If people feel safer to walk a route, they are more likely to use it.
MacArthur Avenue in Richmond, VA. A housing complex amongst restaurants and storefronts. The fencing carves out what belongs to the residents and what is public, all while providing a clear edge that connects the commercial buildings on either side.
Right now, downtown businesses may be asking: So, that’s all well and good to know, at least as an answer to a Jeopardy question, but how does this psychology lesson relate to getting more people to spend money downtown?
It’s important because if we want to better utilize the connectivity that downtowns can provide, we need to make it as easy as possible for customers to choose to walk from one nearby location to another. And if we want more people to walk (or bike), as opposed to drive, it comes down to making people feel safe and welcome—by providing clear boundaries along the sidewalks and public spaces.
Fences connecting structures continues the “wall” of the streetscape by providing a clear edge. If there is a vacant lot between buildings that abuts a sidewalk, place a fence or other physical and visual barrier along it so that we can see that it is in fact an “edge” and we are not completely exposed if we walk there.
Our prehistoric selves learned that edges and barriers to spaces were helpful guides when navigating the wild expanses of the world. The visual rules provide us a guidebook for how to behave and know what is permitted. The rules we learned then are just as useful to us today. If we can understand and utilize those principles in how we design our downtowns and neighborhoods, they will feel more connected, cohesive, and safe for those on either side of the fence.
About the Author
Jeff Szyperski is the founder and owner of ReThink Main Street, a platform dedicated to improving the urban experience in smaller communities through improved development and design. As a native of Virginia’s Northern Neck, Jeff grew up amongst the small-scale development found along the Chesapeake Bay. Graduating from Elon University in 2013 and completing his Graduate Gertificate in Real Estate and Urban Land Development from Virginia Commonwealth University in the Fall of 2020, he has built upon his extensive experience in real estate sales, development, finance, and design. Jeff and his wife enjoy living in their 100 year old home in Richmond, VA. You can connect with Jeff and ReThink Main Street on Instagram, Facebook, and on the ReThink Main Street website. You can also email Jeff at jeff@rethinkmainstreet.com.