Mixed-use development: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:03, 27 March 2006

Revision as of 04:36, 28 March 2006

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Another impetus for zoning was the birth of the skyscraper. Fear of buildings blocking out the sun led many to call for zoning regulations, particularly in [[New York City]]. Zoning regulations, first put into place in 1916, not only called for limits on building heights, but eventually called for separations of uses. This largely was meant to keep people from living next to, or in polluted industrial areas. This separation however, was extended to commercial uses as well, setting the stage for the suburban style of life that is common in America today. Zoning was almost universally adopted by municipalities.

Completely separate zoning and isolated "islands" of each type of development however is seens as undesireable in a lively urban center. Zoning laws accomodated this with mixed-use zoning. Most commonly, this means residential buildings with streetfront commercial space. Jane Jacobs' book, "[[The Death and Life of Great American Cities]]," argues that a mixture of uses is vital and necessary for a healthy urban area.