Don’t Reinvent the Wheel: How Downtowns Can Learn From Each Other
Being in the MDA world, we are sure you’ve heard us say, “R&D.” And no, we aren’t secretly scientists waiting to research and develop our next invention. We are downtown managers who love to rip off and duplicate.
Why?
Because as downtown professionals, we don’t always need to create something completely new. Sometimes the best ideas are already happening in another community.
Key Points:
Another downtown may have developed a successful event, program, marketing campaign, streetscape initiative, business recruitment strategy, or ambassador program. Duplicate the idea, and make it your own to match your downtown.
Downtown professionals can research a variety of areas, including programming & events, business & economic development, marketing & communications, placemaking, and community engagement
R&D mindset is all about developing a habit of intentional observation.
Take advantage of a networking and walking tour of Mt. Clemens on September 24, and a mobile and walking tour of Battle Creek on November 4.
Your Downtown Doesn't Have to Reinvent the Wheel
R&D MDA style is all about the value of peer learning. Many downtowns face similar challenges just at different times.
Exploring downtowns and networking is a great way to see if another downtown may have already solved a problem you're facing. A neighboring city may have developed a successful event, program, marketing campaign, streetscape initiative, business recruitment strategy, or ambassador program. Take the idea and adapt it to your downtown.
What Should Downtown Professionals Be Researching?
This is a question we get asked a lot at the MDA. And the answer is anything and everything!
Programming & Events
What events are drawing residents and visitors?
How are other communities activating public spaces?
What seasonal programs are successful?
How are they measuring attendance and impact?
Business & Economic Development
How are downtowns attracting new businesses?
What are they doing to support existing businesses?
Are they offering business incentives or grants?
How are they addressing vacancies?
Marketing & Communications
What does their social media strategy look like?
How are they telling their downtown's story?
What types of content generate engagement?
How are they encouraging businesses to participate?
Placemaking
How are communities using public spaces?
What temporary activations have worked?
How are they creating reasons for people to linger?
Community Engagement
How are residents involved?
How are downtown businesses engaged?
What partnerships are making a difference?
The R&D Mindset
As a downtown professional, how do you get into the R&D mindset? It’s all about developing a habit of intentional observation.
See it: Notice what other communities are doing.
Ask about it: Find out why they did it and what challenges they encountered.
Evaluate it: Would the concept address a need in your community?
Adapt it: Modify the idea to fit your downtown.
Test it: Start small rather than launching a massive initiative.
Measure it: Determine whether it actually worked.
Then, share it with others.
Learning from Michigan Downtowns
Whether you’re new to the downtown world or a seasoned pro, some of the best research can’t be found on Google. It happens when you get out and experience another downtown firsthand.
The next time you visit a new community, make time to:
- Walk the downtown. Look beyond the obvious and notice the details (think: public spaces and storefronts to wayfinding, streetscapes, events, and how people are using the space).
- Talk with key stakeholders. Connect with downtown managers, business owners, municipal leaders, volunteers, property owners, and residents. Ask what’s working, and what they would do differently.
- See projects and initiatives firsthand. There’s a big difference between hearing about a successful program and actually seeing it in action.
- Ask questions. How did they get started? Who was involved? What did it cost? What challenges did they encounter? What would they do differently today?
And you don't have to do the research alone. The MDA is creating opportunities for you to get out, explore, connect, and learn from communities across Michigan:
- September 24: Networking & Walking Tour of Mt. Clemens
- November 4: Mobile & Walking Tour of Battle Creek
Final Thoughts: Your Next Great Idea May Already Exist
Your next great downtown idea may not require starting from scratch. It might be waiting for you in another Michigan community. Take the time to explore, ask questions, network, share ideas, and take what you’ve learned and bring it back to your downtown.
Because as downtown managers, we all know that sometimes the best way to move your downtown forward is to see what's already working somewhere else.