Urban Design: The Importance of Vibrancy in Downtown Centers

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Downtown centers of your favorite cities are not arbitrary placements on the map.   Aside from the obvious tangible aspects of your favorite downtown locations which offer: places to live, shopping, dining and other forms of entertainment, downtowns are created for one very important reason- vibrancy.

Before we explore vibrancy, these questions may come to mind- what is involved in the makings of a downtown center? What makes a downtown area more livable? These are the questions urban planners and designers attempt to answer. Some of the best downtown locations in the United States are vibrant not only because of their strategic planning, but also the mingling and engagement this planning introduces into a city.

What is vibrancy and why does it matter?

A Vibrant downtown center is one that offers social interaction and engagement to its residents. Most city planners describe a vibrant center as an environment which is walkable, liveable and offers the residents an opportunity to play.

View of downtown Denver, Colorado

To put this in further perspective, a well designed downtown center offers what Emily Talen in her 2012 book City Rules: How regulations Affect Urban Form describes as: “Good urbanism that covers generic features of vibrant places quite well”.  Talen further explains a well designed downtown center as a, “compact urban form that encourages pedestrian activity and minimizes environmental degradation; encourages social, economic, and land use diversity; . . . connects uses and functions; has a quality public realm that provides opportunities for interaction and exchange; offers equitable access to goods, services, and facilities; and protects environmental and human health.

One important feature of a vibrant downtown center is walkability.  Another important feature of a vibrant center is the installation and development of parks, waterfronts and places for play. These places have an impact on the vibrancy of a downtown area because they increase the opportunities for interaction between residents. Planners and designers also see an increase in vibrancy when an area features historical or cultural landmarks.

If vibrancy is so important to the growth and sustainability of our downtown regions, how can the state and planning bodies promote vibrancy to add to make the lives of residents sustainable?

Here are some examples of the ways we can promote vibrancy:

Encouraging the development of higher-density housing in urban and suburban neighborhoods.

Most people adhere to the increase in higher-density option due to the consequential increase in property value, higher rent, and an increase in tax base.

Gentrification of lower income neighborhoods is also common fear when considering this option. To create a positive living environment for residents, it is also important to provide sustainable housing for low income residents who work in customer service or labor jobs, because their proximity to the city job market is important in driving revenue and developing the workforce. This can be enforced through inclusionary zoning laws and density bonuses .

Staying away from suburban development prototypes.

Suburban prototypes imposed on urban centers have been linked to a decrease in urban density, which as mentioned above is a possible key to vibrancy. Placing more importance on walkability, planners need to veer away from designing adjacent surface parking, drive-through lanes, lack of sidewalks in downtown areas,  if they aim to build a city which is walkable and subsequently vibrant.

To learn more about Vibrancy in downtown areas, visit the this article on Urban land Magzine

Utah Residents Vote On State Land Preservation

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The use of public land and how it can be preserved is often up for debate in the public in states like Utah and Montana where much of the land is still relatively en masse and unused by the public or private ventures.

Recently, in Utah, many Utahans are seeking a different approach to how land in the state is being used. In a survey taken by 53,000,  Utahans were prompted on what they envisioned for Utah’s future on topics ranging from education, agriculture to housing and the use of public lands.

The survey aimed to understand Utahans needs and hopes for the future. As a state housing 3 million residents, Utah’s numbers are set to increase to a 5.4 million residents by the year 2050. The state is now taking measures to ensure that Utah is a place people will envision for possible residency in the future. The question remains, how will land be used in the future? And will this land be developed sustainably?

Aerial of Salt Lake City, Utah

In describing the aptly named survey “Your Utah, Your Future”, Director Kathleen Clarke, director of Utah’s Public Land’s policy Coordinating Office, commented on the results, saying “Utahans recognize a need for energy. But I think they are saying we need to be thoughtful about development and about uses. We need to pay particular attention to watersheds.”

As Utahans voice their concerns on land development and preservation, the state government is following up with results on the survey, which indicated that 54 percent of Utahans want public lands managed to maintain and improve ecosystems and watersheds. Utahans also want their state government to focus on providing recreational access and foster jobs and economic development.

Landscape view of Moab, Utah

The preservation of public land for conservation reasons is also a primary finding in the survey. 29 percent of survey takers would like more Utah land to be set aside for preservation, with envisioned focus on energy development and the grazing of livestock.

Differing opinions also persist in the use of Utah’s land. 11 percent of the survey takers insisted on the use of more land for energy development and livestock grazing.

Land preservation continues to play an important role in public discourse as water shortages and inefficient conservation methods plague land development initiatives in the United States. It is important to note that preserving contiguous natural lands is important to sustain the environment.

To learn more about the Utahn Survey on land preservation, click here

3 Important Questions To Ask Before You Purchase Land

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Becoming a first time home owner can be a daunting and sometimes cumbersome process, and purchasing your first plot of land can be just the same whether it’s a lot in a development or acres of land. Let’s go over some of the basics to help ease your mind purchasing a spot for your dream home and allow you to sign that contract with confidence.

Getting started, it’s essential to identify exactly what it is you’re looking for and rank what qualities are most important to you in case you (and it’s quite possible you will) have to compromise on what you want. There is no “perfect” lot out there. This will help eliminate properties that don’t match your requirements and aren’t worth looking at. Create a checklist to help stay organized and rank the listings you look at.

Here are 3 questions you will definitely need to know the answers to:

Can you build the floor plan you desire for the lot?

You need to determine if the land can be used how you envision it. Laws from state to state vary so it’s important to research this before you look up  anything. Keep in mind that selling a buyer an unbuildable (or not suited for what you want) lot is not illegal.

For example, say you would like to build a four-bedroom, two story house but the lot is restricted to only one story ranchers. This would be a problem.

Where is your water coming from?

The land you’re looking at could already have a well drilled or already shares a well with neighbors or you might have to drill your own. These are all potential options. If a well is in place, make sure to obtain the depth, flow rate, and quality of water from the well.

What is the Zoning?

For every lot there are zoning ordinances set up by the localized planning board. This is designed to regulate how the land is used and that is in accordance with their goals for the area. For example, say you wanted to start a cattle farm. You can view as many acres of land as you like, but if it is not zoned properly, you will not be having cattle.

Ask these Questions too:

What’s the soil type?

Are there high water tables?

Are there any issues with sewer drainage?

Purchasing land is an exciting venture and getting as much knowledge as possible will help make the process easier for you and hopefully, make it a pleasurable one.

Info courtesy of buildingadvisor

3 Things To Know About Building a Real Estate Career

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Real Estate is a versatile field. The ability to wear many hats on and off the ground, as well as the opportunity to engage in communications, government relations, buying and land development capacity is key to the success and understanding of this part of the business. There are many options within the field, and plenty of careers to choose from in development within the commercial or residential side of the business. People who find joy or interest in building homes or living spaces usually find themselves in residential real estate. The commercial end is not limited by personal taste, but is bigger in scale and one will find themselves dealing with larger property. This side of the business attracts people who are sales oriented and interested in commerce.

Here are 3 things to consider when you are looking to begin a career in real estate.

  1. Education and Licensing :Taking a real estate pre-licensing course within your state is important to gain certification. Different states have different rules and mandates in the issue of gaining your license as a real estate agent. Passing state and national licensing exams will also prove to be helpful in gaining the first brokerage experience at an agency.
  2. Brokerage and mentorship experience: Working in a brokerage gives agents the opportunity to gain clients and learn the ins and outs of working at a real estate firm. Brokerages are the offices from which real estate agents and brokers work. Working with a broker is a requirement in order to practice as a real estate agent, contacting a broker before graduating from a real estate course in order to learn more about the business is one of the best ways to learn about the business and what working in a brokerage entails. Most brokers tend to have three additional years of real estate training, and they can provide answers to questions on working within the agency.
  3. Developing a Real Estate Agent Budget: Learning to manage one’s self and finances will go a long way in working in this business. Unlike most professions, the startup costs of working in real estate are relatively reasonable. Some of the costs range from $1,500- 2000. It is often divided amongst business cards, signs, advertising and association fees.


Predictors of Commercial Real Estate Development_299x200

 

Being a real estate agent means that you are making money based on commission. It is a commission based business so keeping money aside for a few months is highly encouraged, especially when you are just beginning in the field.

To find out more about real estate and real estate careers see this extensive write up on investopedia