Mixed-use development refers to the practice of containing more than one type of use in a building or set of buildings. In zoning terms, this can mean some combination of residential, commercial, industrial, office, institutional, or other uses.
History
Mixed-used development was the most prominent style of development during the large majority of the history of human cities and towns. Because people walked for daily transportation, it was most convenient to locate the uses in close proximity. People often made a living from their own homes. This was particularly true in cities, where the bottom floor was often devoted to some sort of commercial use, and living space was upstairs.
Mixed-used development fell out of favor during the Industrial Age in favor of more efficient manufacturing in dedicated structures. Many of these buildings produced substantial industrial pollution, detrimental to those who lived nearby. These factors were important in the push for Euclidian zoning that separated land uses.
Another impetus for Euclidian 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 was largely meant to keep people from living next to 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. This type of zoning was widely adopted by municipal zoning codes.
Benefits
Throughout the late 20th century, it began to become apparent to many urban planners and other professionals that mixed-use development had many benefits and should be promoted again. As American cities 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
Mixed use development is seen as too risky by many developers and lending institutions because economic success requires that the many different uses all remain in business. Most development throughout the mid to late 20th century was single-use, so many development and finance professionals see this as the safer and more acceptable means to provide construction and earn a profit. Others maintain that modern consumers prefer separated uses, as evidenced by the fact that most grocery shoppers today would prefer to drive a large automobile to the store once a week and fill it with as much food as possible, as opposed to picking up each day's food items on the way home from work.
See also
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