Integrated mixed-use buildings provide communities with a solution for dealing with monofunctional urban landscapes, complex zoning regulations and increased mobility needs by offering multiple residential, retail, office, community and entertainment spaces in close proximity. They serve as an ideal option when it comes to providing housing alternatives that satisfy multiple functionalities in one building.
Local governments can include mixed-use development strategies in community plans and comprehensive plan updates (Chesapeake 2007). Furthermore, they can implement form-based codes to promote destination connectivity through streetscape design.
Residential
Communities looking to foster mixed-use development in residential areas should include strategies that support affordable housing. Walkable mixed-use neighborhoods tend to drive up property values and market rents, making these developments out of reach for lower income residents. Communities can address this issue by adopting policies with regulatory flexibility (e.g. permit fee reductions or tax abatements) for projects which include affordable housing as part of their mixed-use developments.
Historically, land use regulations effectively separated incompatible activities within a city or county by designating certain zones as safe zones; for instance slaughterhouses and factories emitting fumes were kept away from residential areas. Now more municipalities recognize the value in incorporating incompatible activities in one building or neighborhood to facilitate shorter trips, improved destination access, pedestrian safety improvements and support community health goals.
Commercial
Commercial mixed-use real estate integrates residential, retail, office, cultural and institutional functions within one building or area of land. These functions may coexist or can be separated via common space or public streets.
Integrate affordable housing into your mixed-use development to increase business revenues while strengthening resiliency in communities. Incentivize developers through financial and regulatory benefits like density bonuses, reduced parking requirements, expedited permitting processes and tax abatements or exemptions.
Mixed-use commercial property integration into town centers and other densely populated areas can bring numerous advantages, including increased economic activity, lower service delivery costs (including taxes) and decreased need for driving; aligning well with small town and rural priorities regarding preservation of natural spaces and reduction of air pollutants.
Retail
Retail mixed-use development projects feature ground-floor spaces used as retail stores, restaurants or cafes and residential units above them. Such developments encourage the establishment of small businesses while building community bonds.
Have amenities, such as grocery stores and restaurants nearby, reduces the need for residents and workers to travel far for daily needs, which helps boost sustainability by decreasing vehicle dependence while encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.
Mixed-use projects offer investors attractive investment returns due to the multiple income streams created by this combination, helping to offset market fluctuations and strengthen returns. But developing such properties can be complex due to strict zoning laws and construction requirements; finding professionals who specialize in managing this kind of real estate will help minimize delays and overruns.
Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs)
TOD places emphasis on urban planning and design that directly benefits people, the environment and cities themselves. TOD projects help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build sustainable communities, foster healthier lifestyles and ensure equal access to city services.
TOD promotes higher density development to maximize land usage efficiently and ensure viability of public transit systems, thus limiting sprawl and conserving open space. Furthermore, TOD emphasizes the significance of public spaces like parks and plazas as places that foster social interaction and foster an overall sense of community.
TODs are typically planned as walkable districts that feature multiple housing types and sizes, retail shops and office buildings to give residents options and accelerate absorption rates while increasing market value for developers. TOD projects may even include small “outparcel” shops at sidewalks near parking lots to strengthen pedestrian-oriented streets.
Common Spaces
Mixed-use development offers an unprecedented opportunity for community health and wellness. By including public spaces that are accessible to all residents, mixed-use development offers a wonderful environment in which to foster increased physical activity, social connections and economic activity within town centers.
Retail-residential developments offer residents convenient shopping, working, and living within walking distance of daily necessities – reducing vehicle dependency and congestion at once. This type of development typically features local businesses on the ground floor with residential spaces above for residents to live above them. This model allows residents to shop independently owned businesses nearby while living comfortably above them – saving time, energy and congestion by eliminating vehicle use altogether.
Implement these strategies in your community. Public health and built environment professionals can work collaboratively to identify the appropriate approaches, engaging stakeholders with equitable engagement to collect data and understand needs; early identification of barriers may prevent project timeline delays from being extended further.