Page 1: Designing for Urban Life

Overview of Urban Growth

• Human Decisions: Cities grow due to a mix of conscious and unconscious decisions by humans.

• Geographic Processes: Understanding these processes aids in designing sustainable and livable cities.

Learning Objectives

• Identify different urban design initiatives and practices.

• Explain the effects of these initiatives.

Urban Sustainability

• Challenge: Cities face sustainability issues as they grow and populations shift.

• Definition: Urban sustainability involves controlling pollution and reducing a city's ecological footprint.

  • Ecological Footprint: Measure of land required to sustain urban resource use.

Livability in Cities

• Concept: Livability is determined by factors affecting quality of life, including:

  • Built and natural environments

  • Economic prosperity

  • Social stability, equity

  • Access to educational, cultural, and entertainment opportunities

• People in livable cities have little reason to leave.

Sustainable Design Initiatives

• Urban planners are implementing various sustainable design strategies, such as:

  • Mixed Land Use: Combines residential and commercial spaces to minimize travel needs and reduce sprawl.

  • Walkability: Safe, convenient environments for pedestrians and cyclists.

  • Transportation-Oriented Development: Communities that focus on public transit accessibility.

  • Smart Growth Initiatives: Includes New Urbanism, greenbelts, and slow-growth strategies.

Urban Sprawl and Its Impacts

• Issues:

  • Environmental degradation

  • Loss of rural land

  • Increased pollution from reliance on cars

• Mixed-use Development (MUD):

  • A planned space incorporating various uses (residential, commercial, etc.) designed to increase density and reduce transport needs.

  • Examples: Vertical mixed-use buildings, neighborhood blocks of different types of housing, businesses, and recreational areas.

Walkability Characteristics

• Influences on walkability include:

  • Availability of multi-use paths and bike-friendly infrastructure.

  • Access to facilities within walking distance;

• Cities improving walkability through revitalization and redevelopment efforts.

Transportation and Sustainability

• Transportation Goals: Improve access to public transit to reduce car dependency, save fossil fuels, and lower pollution levels.

  • Examples of effective transportation systems:

    • Arlington County, Virginia: Created transit-friendly neighborhoods, achieving 36 million square feet of office space and over 47,000 housing units.

• Effectiveness of Strategies: Integrated transport systems reduce environmental impacts and enhance urban livability.

Page 2: Smart-Growth Policies

Overview of Smart-Growth Initiatives

• Purpose: Control urban sprawl and enhance livability through policies promoting sustainable development.

• Example: Arlington County uses incentives for mixed-use developments.

Zoning as a Smart-Growth Tool

• Zoning Laws: Regulate land use, promoting higher density and mixed-use developments.

  • Types: Mixed-use zoning versus traditional zoning that segregates uses by type.

• New Urbanism: A movement advocating for reduced urban sprawl, preserving nature, and creating inclusive community spaces.

Successful Case Studies

• Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor: An example of New Urbanist principles in action, focusing on pedestrian-oriented development.

• Curitiba, Brazil: Known for sustainable urban planning since the 1970s, including innovative public transit solutions and preserved green spaces.

Page 3: Commute Times and Urban Issues

Average Commute Trends

• 1980 vs. 2018 Commute Times:

  • Average increased from 21.9 minutes to 27.1 minutes.

  • Additional time correlates with increased annual commuting hours (22.6 hours per year).

Worst Commute Areas in 2019

• Notable cities with long average commute times, including Naperville, IL, and New York City.

Commute Impact on Well-Being

• Study findings from the UK indicate longer commutes negatively affect happiness levels.

• Commuting Demographics: Significant amounts of time spent commuting can lead to lower quality of life.

Urban Planning Response

• Solutions: Integrating smart-growth strategies to enhance urban living by addressing commute challenges.

• Curitiba's Initiatives: Early adopter of sustainable practices, including improved public transit systems and engagement in environmental regulation.

Page 4: Growth Management and Urban Challenges

Growth Management Policies

• Definition: Strategies used to ensure urban development does not overwhelm existing infrastructure.

• Zoning Regulations: Large-lot zoning to limit sprawl and promote high-priced housing, impacting affordability.

• Benefits of Proper Management: Protects farmland and encourages higher-density communities to minimize environmental impact.

Housing Diversity and Accessibility

• Goals: Promoting mixed-income neighborhoods through diverse housing options to meet urban needs.

• Examples: Tucson's transformation of public housing into mixed-income units.

Page 5: Environmental and Social Factors in Urban Design

Urban Greenbelts

• Definition: Rings of parkland or agricultural land around cities to limit urban spread and promote ecological health.

• Social Benefits: Provides access to nature for urban residents, enhancing quality of life.

Urban Planning Challenges

• Inclusivity in Planning: Citizen involvement is crucial in designing spaces that effectively meet community needs.

• Greenbelt Case Studies: The historical establishment of greenbelts, such as London's Green Belt, illustrates the need for effective land use regulation.

Page 6: Social Dynamics in Urban Design

Smart Growth Social Impacts

• Benefits: Promotes diverse communities and social interactions across demographic lines.

• Critiques: New developments may lead to displacement of lower-income residents and lack of true diversity in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Case Studies for Analysis

• Baxter Village: Examples of socioeconomic segregation despite well-intended design.

• Providence, Rhode Island: Urban reimagining focused on inclusivity but has not achieved expected economic diversity.

Page 7: Urban Growth Theory and Legal Aspects

Legal Aspects of Urban Growth

• Rental Market Challenges: Exclusionary practices and gentrification implications for low-income demographics.

• Land Tenure Issues: Women often face increased barriers when claiming property rights, exacerbating socioeconomic challenges.

Urban Planning Strategies

• Inclusionary Zoning: Laws designed to promote affordable housing in new developments, impacting overall housing markets.

• Challenges of Implementation: Debates over costs and market pricing complexities tied to inclusionary practices.

Historical Context

• Redlining and Blockbusting: Historical practices shaping current urban landscapes and affecting populations' access to housing.

Page 8: Urban Sustainability Challenges

Environmental Justice and Urban Farming

• Urban farming initiatives provide fresh food alternatives and combat environmental inequalities.

• Grassroots organizations champion environmental initiatives to improve air quality.

Urban Renewal and Gentrification

• Urban Renewal Projects: Historical efforts leading to reinvestment but causing displacement.

• Gentrification benefits vs. drawbacks: Improved neighborhoods vs. loss of low-income housing availability.

Page 9: Global Urbanization and Challenges

Urbanization Trends

• Rapid growth in periphery cities, such as Delhi and Jakarta, shows significant internal migration driven by economic conditions.

• Squatter Settlements: As populations rise, these areas reveal the urgent need for better housing solutions.

Page 10: Comprehensive Planning Solutions

Sustainable Urban Solutions

• Regional Planning: Involves cooperative government efforts to address sustainability at a broader scale.

• Brownfield Remediation: Revitalizing contaminated sites to enhance urban sustainability and decrease abandonment.

Page 11: Future Urban Innovations

Designing for Future Cities

• Emphasis on renewable energy buildings that maximize environmental benefits and community engagement.

• Principles of Livability: Future cities prioritize safety, green spaces, and accessibility.