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Gateways Defined

Definition of a Gateway: The following is from the Ball State University School of Architecture and Planning web site. Ball State has been active in working with the City of Indianapolis to develop major gateways through town. For more information, go to www.bsu.edu/web/capic/gateways. 

A Gateway is a landmark, streetscape or other area that a visitor or resident first sees when entering the city, a neighborhood, a cultural district, downtown, or other attractions or destinations. It can be simple or complex, small or large in scale, specific to a single site or linear in form extending over a several block area. No matter what form a gateway takes, it should be readily associated with the location it is designed to “announce”.

In addition to location, the concept or theme of the gateway is critically important. The gateway concept should draw on the assets of the area being “announced” by the gateway. For example, the concept selected for an art district gateway should make it clear to a visitor that they are entering an area where the arts are featured. Equally important is the scale or scope of the gateway. Certain gateways that are intended to serve as icons of the community as a whole may take a monumental scale. Gateways announcing neighborhoods or smaller districts are generally much more discreet in scale/scope.

Landmark Gateway: This type of gateway is developed at a SINGLE LOCATION. It helps to create an identity and orient visitors in the area, and typically signify an entrance or other important intersection or location. These gateways might include the construction of a “landmark” structure, landscaping, signage, and lighting. Landmark gateways can also include much smaller “Welcome” signs and gardens at the entrance to a small town or neighborhood.

Multiple Landmark Gateway: This type of gateway is developed as a SERIES OF TWO OR MORE RELATED GATEWAYS along a common corridor or area. Each individual element may be similar to others or may take on the character of the immediate area in which it is located while maintaining some common design elements. This type of gateway is often used to distinguish different neighborhoods or districts along a common route.

Corridor Gateway: This type of gateway is developed as a CONTINUOUS SYSTEM along a highway, street, or greenway. It may include landscaping, unique signage, banners, lighting and other streetscape elements in addition to landmark elements. This gateway is often developed to signify a high-profile corridor or district.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful works with neighborhoods, groups of neighborhoods, or other organizations to create small scale gateways around Indianapolis. If you desire to do a community gateway, please go to our Gardens and Greenspace page for the steps of an outline for you to reach your goal.

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