Mixed-use development: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:51, 2 June 2006

Revision as of 04:39, 3 June 2006

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==Benefits==

Throughout the late 20th century, it began to become apparent to many [[urban planner]]s and other professionals that mixed-use development had many benefits and should be promoted again. As American cities [[deindustrialization|deindustrialized]], the need to separate residences from dangerous factories became less important. Completely separate zoning created isolated "islands" of each type of development. In many cases, the [[automobile]] became a requirement for transportation between vast fields of residentially zoned housing and the separate commercial and office strips. [[Jane Jacobs]]' influential "''[[The Death and Life of Great American Cities]]"'' argues that a mixture of uses is vital and necessary for a healthy urban area.

Zoning laws attempt to address these problems by using mixed-use zoning. A mixed use district will most commonly be the "downtown" of the community. The mixed use guidelines often result in residential buildings with streetfront commercial space. Retailers have the assurance that they will always have customers living right above and around them, while residents have the benefit of being able to walk a mere number of yards to get groceries and household items, or see a movie.

==Drawbacks==