Neighborhoods of the future
The mixed-use model
By Greg OchisIt’s important to remind ourselves that how we live today directly impacts how our tomorrow will be. In the real estate development community, this concept is particularly important.
Economic and environmental issues facing the U.S. today are causing major shifts in consumers’ decisions about where they want to live, work, learn and play. People are becoming more socially conscious; they’re interested in reducing their carbon footprint and are looking for options through alternative modes of transport and increased access to amenities.
More and more people are leaving suburban bedroom communities behind and migrating towards a more urban way of living in communities where they can be closer to employment nodes and increased lifestyle options.
The mixed-use-community concept meets the changing needs of today’s consumers. While some consumers are migrating directly to the core of urban areas to alleviate the challenges of today’s economy, others are seeking a lifestyle just outside of it, but one with similar benefits. Mixed-use communities meet the needs of consumers who desire a mid-urban living experience and provide opportunities for long-term, sustainable growth for residents, retailers and commercial tenants, as well as for the entire region.
How do you create the mixed-use neighborhood of the future — a place where people want to spend their time and can find all of the goods and services required to meet their day-to-day needs? Most importantly, the mixed-use community of the future must incorporate elements of social, economic and environmental sustainability to ensure long-term viability and attractiveness to consumers.
Social sustainability
Social sustainability translates to close-knit neighborhoods and Main Street-style town centers that foster a sense of community. A mixed-use development should be a place where socialization is encouraged and connections among residents, businesses and neighboring communities exist. Cultural and recreational elements should be woven into community plans from the beginning, and educational options for all members of the community should be available.
Economic sustainability
Economic sustainability means that residents have the chance to work near their home; local businesses have an opportunity to thrive and the regional economy benefits. The community should have sustainable, long-term local employment opportunities which will help build an economy that can grow with the community.
Environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability means forming partnerships with developers and builders to use the latest environmentally-friendly building techniques. Mixed-use communities provide a great opportunity to implement renewable energy initiatives, such as wind, solar and geothermal energy and efforts should be made to conserve resources. In addition, enhancing and protecting the surrounding natural environment should be a priority. And last, but not least, the community should integrate transportation solutions that make sense, minimizes the use of resources and encourages a healthier lifestyle.
The mixed-use developments of the future will offer more valuable opportunities to the members of their communities. People can live in areas near amenities that they would otherwise have had to pay a premium for had they been living in a traditional suburban neighborhood. In addition, mixed-use communities help create opportunities for economic growth and provide solutions to address today’s growing environmental concerns.
How the real estate development industry is addressing the future
The United States Green Building Council, in partnership with Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council, has developed a national standard for neighborhood design that integrates the principles of green building and smart growth.
Set forth in a series of guidelines, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Neighborhood Development initiative is a way for developers to incorporate elements of sustainability into their mixed-use projects, such as decreased vehicle miles traveled, decreased air pollution, and access to jobs and services in the neighborhood by foot or transit. Benefits of the LEED-ND initiative include a reduction in suburban sprawl, promotion of healthy living and protection of the natural environment surrounding the community. Mixed-use developments that are implementing the LEED-ND program have a leg up in the leasing and building communities because they’re seen as long-term projects that are prepared to address the needs of the future.
As real estate developers, we have a responsibility to create places and communities that are sustainable for the long term. We are responsible for building neighborhoods of the future that meet the needs of residents today while maintaining the flexibility to provide choices opportunities for the residents of tomorrow. As we begin thinking about the next mixed-use community, we must consider what is happening in the world today and how we can plan for tomorrow.
Greg Ochis is the project director for Lend Lease Communities’ Horizon Uptown project, a LEED-ND development. He has more than 20 years of experience in real estate development, landscape architecture and urban design. Ochis is the past president of the Landscape Architecture Foundation, has served on the advisory panel of the University of Minnesota’s College of Design and is an active member of the Urban Land Institute. He can be reached at greg.ochis@lendlease.com or (303) 623-8100.
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