FAQ

What is the difference between a Gateway and a Subdivision Entrance Feature
What is a Gateway?
What is a Subdivision Entrance Feature?

    What is the difference between a Gateway and a Subdivision Entrance Feature

    Gateway features announce arrival into our City, subdivision entrance features are located at the entranceways to a specific subdivisions. City gateways create a sense of identity for our community, sometimes highlighting special places and help to develop an overall sense of place. Subdivision entrance features are smaller in size and importance, and can be used as way-finding markers. They often reflect a developer’s vision of the subdivision they are trying to create.


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    What is a Gateway?

    Gateways are typically entrance features or landmarks which act as markers to indicate an entrance to, or exit from, the City as a whole, and important neighbourhoods, districts, or other unique locations. This may take the form of signs, markers or public art. 
    In the case of this study, we are defining gateways in Markham as major entry/exit points into or out of our City, as people cross our municipal boundaries from Markham to neighbouring towns, communities or special places within the City. Markham Gateways will contribute to the sense of our community identity. Gateways can come in several forms. Here are some examples of different gateways.

    A Park Entrance as a Gateway Feature

    Public Art as a Gateway Feature

    Brooklyn, New York


    Chinatown, New York

    Signage as a Gateway Feature 

    Carmel, Indiana

    Using Plantings as a Gateway feature

    North Carolina's Highway System


    Lighting and Streetscape as Gateway features

    Montreal, Quebec




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    What is a Subdivision Entrance Feature?

    Subdivision Entrance Features are walls, monuments, pillars or signage that is built by developers to identify the subdivision and create a sense of exclusivity. The following are examples of local subdivision entrance features.


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