Urban Design for Communities

The conversion of office spaces into mixed use buildings with a strong residential element is an essential strategy to not just create more vitality in any urban center in the U.S. but it's also required to create more critically needed housing options across the whole socio-economic spectrum of urban residents. Chicago can and should be a pioneer in this massive building conversion initiative that the recently approved "LaSalle Street Reimagined" initiative is focused on. The Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Grant stresses an important advantage for Chicago's downtown when he writes: "Chicago is fortunate in having many buildings developed before World War II that have the right design for conversions. Many of these properties currently face financial distress, but those problems could pave the way for conversions. Their eventual resolution will likely involve a new owner paying a discounted price, which would make a conversion more financially viable." Chicago's conversion strategy, now led by our outstanding Planning Commissioner, Ciere Boatright, could be a role model for other cities in the U.S. , since the private/public initiative will create over 1,000 apartment units with one third classified as affordable. Chicago can reimagine its downtown core as the most inclusive urban core in the U.S., if we continue executing and broadening this private/public partnership approach.

What design characteristics of a third place can help improve social health? How can we ensure that a focus on efficiency and cost savings does not crowd out the need to preserve and promote human connection? Such concerns are especially pertinent as loneliness and social isolation become more prevalent. This semi-structured literature review, written by Erin K. Peavey, offers guidelines to design spaces that combat loneliness and social isolation and foster social capital and community. It is aimed at architects, designers, city planners, and policy makers. "Perhaps the most foundational attribute of a good third place is that it is accessible to those who can use it. The best versions foster a sense of ownership and become regular parts of people’s lives. This requires safe, convenient, affordable, and comfortable access to the place. For children, this means they can gather, play, and explore with some independence from parents as developmentally appropriate. For senior adults or people with disabilities, this means that there are easy physical access options, benches to rest, and spaces to shelter them from the elements. For all ages, the ideal is a space that is within walking distance from home, work, or school. Humans evolved to navigate our worlds on our feet, and much research has shown the benefits of physical activity on the health of our minds and bodies, and the role of walkable streets, neighborhoods, and cities in fostering wellbeing." Placemaking Education PlacemakingX Ofri Earon Ethan Kent HKS, Inc. Julianne Holt-Lunstad #loneliness #isolation #urbandesign #communityhealth #relationships #socialcapital https://lnkd.in/esT-BjEP

Sitting on the grass at Kendall/MIT Open Space, soaking in the midsummer vibe, I can’t help but notice how alive the campus feels—full of high school students, curious visitors, and that unique energy summer brings to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As I flip through my notes from Soft City: Building Density for Everyday Life by David Sim (Island Press), the book feels especially timely and relevant.   Sim’s idea of a “soft city” is about moving closer, connecting with others, and designing more human, livable environments (P3). As a designer, it reminds me to embrace opportunities to engage with planet, people, and place (P5)—to create spaces that welcome density and diversity in a way that feels natural, inclusive, and alive.   In the face of pressing challenges—climate change, congestion, segregation, and rapid urbanization (P3)—the concept of a soft city feels more important than ever. Sim outlines nine criteria for achieving livable urban density (P213): diversity of built form, diversity of outdoor spaces, flexibility, human scale, walkability, sense of control and identity, a pleasant microclimate, a smaller carbon footprint, and greater biodiversity. It makes me pause and ask: how do we soften our relationship with the street (P60), with our neighbors, and with the broader community?   Rather than placing high expectations in emerging technologies, maybe we need more small, simple, human-centered solutions—gentle interventions that make urban life more respectful, connected, and enjoyable. “Softer may be smarter,” as Sim mentioned (P4). This approach echoes the thinking of Jeff Speck in Walkable City, Anthony Townsend’s ideas on slow data, and Jane Fulton Suri’s work in design ethnography. Together, they advocate for designing places—whether streetscapes (P121), townscales (P45), cityscapes, or servicescapes—that foster everyday comfort, convenience, conviviality, and community (P4).   More books and inspiration: https://lnkd.in/eCskR5yE

Cheonggyecheon: From Freeway to Urban Oasis—A Model for City Transformation Cheonggyecheon in Seoul is a standout example of what’s possible when cities put people and the environment first. For decades, the stream was hidden beneath a congested multi-story freeway, dividing neighborhoods and prioritizing cars over community. Instead of renovating the aging infrastructure, Seoul’s government took a bold step: they removed the freeway, restored the natural stream, and reconnected the city with 22 new bridges—12 for pedestrians, 10 for vehicles. The results are remarkable: Reconnected neighborhoods: The stream now links both sides of the city, making it easier for people to walk, gather, and engage. Healthier public space: Green corridors, water features, and pedestrian bridges have replaced concrete, improving air quality and well-being. Sustainable urban mobility: The city invested in public transport and discouraged car use, reducing congestion and supporting active lifestyles. Cheonggyecheon is proof that visionary, people-centered planning can turn barriers into bridges—literally and figuratively. It’s a global model for urban renewal, sustainability, and social connection. What’s one urban transformation that inspires you? How can we apply these lessons to our own cities? #UrbanDesign #CityTransformation #Cheonggyecheon #SustainableCities #PublicSpace #Placemaking

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀' 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 🏡 Los Angeles is amid profound housing crises driven by a significant mismatch between housing supply and demand. With state officials drawing a line in the sand – zone for 255,000 more homes or forgo billions in federal funds – a new approach is needed. Last Fall at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, under Dan D’Oca's guidance, I dove into this issue with my project: "Big Box HOUSING: Playbook of Strategies for America's Big Boxes". 📔 A striking observation was that approximately 16 million sq. ft. of low-density or vacant big box real estate lies within a 15-minute radius of transit areas in LA. Recognizing an opportunity, this playbook suggests retrofitting these low-density properties into mixed-use affordable housing. It outlines market strategies, financing avenues, innovative housing designs, and construction feasibility. The prime objective? Convert these vast parking and underutilized infrastructure areas into vibrant residential communities, particularly those proximate to transit and educational centres. Case study demonstration: the potential revamp of a vacant warehouse in Green Meadows Neighborhood, which could house up to 650 units, bringing vitality and opportunity to the area. For interested developers and city officials looking for more insights, please DM for playbook access. Acknowledgements to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Prof. D’Oca, the City of Los Angeles, local stakeholders whom we got to interact with during our site visit from Bestor Architecture, Restore Neighborhoods LA, Co-op Housing Development Group, Gensler,HACLA, Los Angeles Planning Dept, Abundant Housing LA, Michael Maltzan Architecture, Inc., Kounkuey Design Initiative, Brooks Scarpa, Treehouse Senior Living LLC, UnitedWayEUP, and my studio TA's & colleagues for their invaluable input. #housingforall #harvarduniversity #housingcrisis #bigbox #losangeles #realestatedevelopment #urbandesign #urbanplanning

Happy to share that our paper describing how urban design interventions in Beirut affect pedestrian trips is finally out in Cities today. In summer 2022, we convened a participatory design workshop at AUB in Beirut to generate design ideas for walkability improvements in the 2020 blast affected areas of downtown. We then developed a framework to model how each urban design scenario would affect pedestrian trip generation and trip distribution spatially, in the surrounding neighborhoods. The paper provides a first demonstration of how pedestrian impacts of urban design interventions can be spatially estimated–capturing both the impacts of land use changes (e.g. new buildings added) and street quality improvements (e.g. sidewalk widening). Such impact estimates provide planners a framework for understanding how site-specific design and development decisions can shape progress towards (or away from) non-motorized mobility goals in cities. Available in open access: https://lnkd.in/g-5yaeAz Maya Abou Zeid, Justin Kollar, AICP, @Aziz Alhassan, Rounaq Basu, Daniel Caesar Pratama, Jawad Haddad, Bahij Chancey, Dan Horner, Mustapha Madi, #cityformlab , #mitdusp, #mitlcau, #mitsap, #AUB

If we’re serious about fighting America’s loneliness epidemic (or improving our social fitness), the way we create new places needs to change. But we also need to think about renovating existing spaces — ideally, with public and private capital working together. Japan offers an inspired an example of how to do this (see further below). Whether it’s a single-family home, an apartment complex, or a community of townhomes and condos, upgrades in a community at all three “levels” can make a big difference in fighting loneliness. Those three levels are: ▶Level 1: Physical Dwelling Certain home renovations make it more likely that a resident can stay in a house longer. This applies to both young families and older adults, creating homes that are “age-friendly.” Those sorts of renovations include but are not limited to: easy-use levers, elevated electrical sockets, walk-in showers, improved lighting and a bedroom on the main floor. The ability to stay in a dwelling longer allows residents to live longer in a place they enjoy and that may provide strong social connections. The alternative — moving to a new place — often comes with a loneliness risk. ▶Level 2: Common Areas A well-designed building can foster connections among neighbors, particularly by creating places for people to interact intentionally or spontaneously. Lobbies with gathering spots, coffee stations, gyms, all-purpose rooms and more can be vital in facilitating social connection.  ▶Level 3: “Third Places” in the Neighborhood. Parks, libraries, community centers and restaurants near home can add significant quality of life for residents. They are places that facilitate social interaction and, if done right, they just make us comfortable. In Japan, both the government and popular household goods maker Muji are investing in “danchi” housing complexes with goals that match those described above. Danchi are large complexes built as affordable options after World War II, but many have fallen into disrepair and are losing residents. As a recent CityLab piece reports, (link: https://bit.ly/3v655zA), the public and private sector both see potential for reinvigorating neighborhoods by renovating danchi. The government has plans to relax laws to allow shops within danchi and is offering subsidies for local governments and businesses to build daycare centers or housing for older adults. On the private side, Muji’s parent company is “working to breathe new life into danchi [by] revamping outdated features like kitchens and traditional tatami flooring in its attempt to attract younger residents." Muji is also planning renovations in surrounding neighborhooods to address social isolation. It’s an interesting example to follow. In our country, if well-heeled capital — public and/or private — can influence all three levels, it could have a real impact on the plague of loneliness. And it could provide a strong value proposition for the investors, as well.

In a world grappling with climate change, Sweden is leading the charge with a groundbreaking initiative: constructing an entire city from wood. According to a recent article in The Economist, this innovative approach not only promises affordability and sustainability but also challenges our preconceptions about urban development. At the Institute for Development Impact - I4DI, we're inspired by such pioneering efforts and align with our urban development practice. Sweden's vision of 'timber cities' offers a blueprint for eco-friendly construction that could revolutionize how we build our urban environments. Wood as a construction material is undergoing a renaissance, thanks to technological advances that make timber buildings as fireproof as their concrete and steel counterparts. This shift towards wood is not just an aesthetic choice but a strategic move to combat urban carbon emissions. Trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth, making wood a carbon-neutral resource when sourced sustainably. Sweden's commitment to building with wood is a testament to the potential of natural materials in creating the sustainable cities of the future. It's a model that encourages us to think differently about urban growth, prioritizing the health of our planet alongside the need for development. We at the Institute for Development Impact continue to support transformative urban development projects, and Sweden's example is a source of inspiration and a challenge to innovate. We are helping urban planners of today prepare more sustainable cities of tomorrow. #UrbanDevelopment #SustainableCities #TimberRevolution #ClimateAction

Innovation in Real Estate Development: Lessons from Lotte, Korea 🇰🇷🏗️ Earlier this year, my team and I spent a week in South Korea. While there, we met with Lotte, a leading developer in Korea known for constructing the world's fifth-tallest skyscraper. But while Lotte World Tower is a magnificent accomplishment, our interest in meeting and learning from them as developers revolved more around their innovative and holistic approach to community development. Their projects blend massive libraries, interactive aquariums, and child-friendly playscapes within mixed-use communities. This model of interconnectedness—where retail, residential, office and industry coexist—offers a fresh perspective on building communities focused on creativity and capital. 🔹 Innovation at Scale: Lotte's ability to combine diverse elements into cohesive communities. 🔹 A New Blueprint: They're redefining what integrated development can look like. 🔹 Retail and Malls are not dead, they are antiquated and in need of a paradigm shift Inspired by Lotte, the question arises: How can we incorporate this level of innovation and interconnectedness into our projects? Can we redefine community development to be more inclusive and engaging? 🤔 As for my take, it’s a resounding yes to the fact that we can redefine community development to be more inclusive and engaging. In fact, this is the primary driver of our Project Lone Star initiative at Red Oak Development Group. I’ll share more about this initiative in the coming weeks, but if you’re interested in taking a sneak peek at how we plan to incorporate innovation and interconnectedness into our projects, we break it all down here: https://lnkd.in/g7BRrTKP #InnovationInDevelopment #CommunityBuilding #RealEstateDevelopment #MixedUse #CRE

The 23rd post in my "32 days of Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia" project. On the #homestretch! Case Study II.23: The Mosaic District, Merrifield, VA, USA The Mosaic District Mosaic District, built on the 31-acre site of a dead multiplex theater in an affluent suburb of Washington, DC, just outside the Beltway, is a compact "mosaic" of uses lining highly walkable streetscapes and an active town green anchored by a new arthouse cinema. Instead of strip malls designed to speed up transactions, Mosaic demonstrates the value of designing green mixed-use town centers for lingering and social experiences you can't get in the surrounding burbs or online. One primary goal in the LEED-ND Silver project was to intentionally design in a series of “third places” for people to gather and find community outside of home and work. EDENS leaders Jodie McLean and Bill C. Caldwell told us to urge every community and every developer to start by creating a gathering place, no matter how small. It might just be twinkling lights over picnic tables between two small businesses. If designed well, it can be the spark. Team: EDENS, RTKL, Nelsen Partners | Architects & Planners, House & Robertson Architects, MULVANNYG2 ARCHITECTURE, Fred Dagdagan, and Law Kingdon. Image: Mosaic District webpage on the Fairfax County Government Department of Planning and Development website; the primary gathering place Strawberry Park is in the foreground.   #RetrofittingSuburbia #urbandesign #urbandevelopment #regreening #reinhabitation #ImprovePublicHealth #DistruptAutomobileDependence #LeverageSocialCapitalforEquity ULI Australia Suburban Futures Mike Day Hatch | RobertsDay Ellen Dunham-Jones