It’s the public part of a place you experience, first. The height of the storefront and the width of the space in front of the storefront you move through. It’s the zone that shapes your mood, behavior, and how a place feels.
We call it the first 16 feet.
Understanding The First 16 Feet
You have the ability to change the way a place is first experienced.
❋ Where places come to life.
People experience streets and neighborhoods within 16 feet of the building edge and 16 feet from the ground. This human-scale zone is the difference between streets that feel safe, active, and welcoming, and those that feel empty or unsafe.
By focusing on the First 16 Feet, small changes can spark big transformations. From storefront edges to alleys and parks, this is where connections are made and memories are shaped.
❋ What is the First 16 Feet?
Every building and space has something to offer our neighborhoods and streets.The First 16 Feet is the most important part of any street. This is where people walk, sit, shop, and connect with the city.
When the First 16 Feet is cared for, sidewalks feel safe and comfortable, storefronts are inviting, and streets become places people want to spend time. Small changes like seating, shade, lighting, or storefront improvements can transform this space quickly and affordably.
Focusing on the First 16 Feet helps cities, property owners, and communities unlock the full potential of their streets and bring life back to the ground floor.
❋ Why does it matter?
It’s how we experience place.
The First 16 Feet matters because it shapes how people feel in a place. When this space is active and welcoming, people slow down, stay longer, and support local businesses. When it is neglected, streets feel empty, unsafe, or uninviting.
Investing in the First 16 Feet delivers outsized returns. It makes sidewalks safer, boosts economic activity, and strengthens the identity of a neighborhood. Most importantly, it turns streets into places where people want to gather, connect, and return again and again.
