Community or Town Center Makeovers – Urban Chic
The demand for new lifestyle choices is fueling a lively trend in community development, redevelopment, economic development, and urbanization. Not only do buyers and renters crave new intensity to their residences and businesses, but also there is increasing evidence that density and mixed-use are more sustainable and healthy for communities. It also seems cities and towns are focusing on what they can do with their town centers, shopping centers, and potentially transit-oriented neighborhoods. The “suburban” model is quickly turning into the“Surban” model, as defined by John Burns Real Estate
Services. Burns has written a book on and described the term as a urban environment that has e feel of an urban area here are many subtrends fueling this megatrend. Communities developed in the last three or four decades are clichéd and in need of revitalization. More people prefer o rent than buy, especially younger generations. Housing styles are maller.
People want urban services that are lkable from their homes, and t more options, visible neighb ique identity. Smaller homes translate into more demand for shared recreation, transit, “edutainment,” and living space. More people want office space to accommodate their changing or growing household
needs. The demand for suburban or office space, as well as being to work from home, will ntinue to rise. Communities
nd neighborhoods are directly ompeting for tax base uses.
The other dynamic that f
need for makeovers is the changing retail scene from shopping to entertainment. Brick and mortar retail centers must add some ntertainment to the scene in order to compete in the market and ract shoppers. Retail and entertainment are crashing together in new
W her energy placemaking formulas.
Parking space demand is decreasing due to ride sharing and transit options. We are ginning to understand what autonomous driving vehicles will mean to built environment.
ORMA has been able to present creative experiences for many ommunities and retail centers with “magic” moments in the visitor experience. The goal is to make the visit memorable. Part of this objective is to retrofit new more popular aesthetics into the built environment.
An interesting fallout from all these trends is the ubiquitous new style of urban chic.” It presents itself with materials, combinations, and intensity pically found in urban areas. It is rooted in industrial, reclaimed, and ycled materials used for traditional furnishings and decoration. How laimed barn wood and rough metal that is rural in nature become the for urban chic design? This style has even migrated to mountain regions
where cabins, homes, and recreation centers need to be urban chic to attract the full market
Corner Plazas
Aliso Viejo
Main Street
Pedestrian Pedestrian Friendly and
LSV Access
Public Art
City Lights Drivve
Mini Park Bark Park
Shuttle Route
Youth Venue
Employee Parking
potential.
New Fest
P
a makeover process start in yo mmunity or on your property?
reate a graphic vision that all stakeholders can easily decide
Key Map
El Pa
Provide
Provides
Design c
Located in
Renovate Entrance
New Walkway
Shuttle Route
N P
Parkin Public Art
upon for a focused objective. Let the emotion of opportunity
and potential lead the process.
Highway 111 and Town Center El Paseo Primary Signage
Bulb-out calms traffic Planting Design focuses visitors’ attention to Public Art
Highway 111 and Cabrillo
ht Stand rd with b nne
Informational Kiosk
Renovate
Entrance
Green Attributes:
Accessory Tenants and
Outdoor Pavilions
Main Street
New
Walkway
Parking Structure
ll the standards for development
Shade Trees 7. Transit Oriented – Save VMT
Wind Turbines 8. Preferred Electric Vehicle Parking
Bioswales 9. Bicycle Staging Area
Park Once Program 10. Pedestrian Promenades
Interpretive / Historical Walk 11. Mixed – Use Efficiences
Pervious Pavers 12. Shared Bikes
Pedestrian Friendly
New Tenants
Outdoor Retail/Vendors
New Anchor Tenant
Wayfindi
t have been traditional in a munity should be assessed a
Shade Canopy provides respite
ed for upcycling to new lif
Pad Showcases reinforce reputation
onal art destination
Distr
for pedestrians
Midblock Bulb-out narrows
of street, calming traffi
demands. Traditional suburban development ds are probably not necessary
tion that wants or needs to reinv elf. Challenge the status quo hile engaging the stakeholders.
Seek out some champions who understand and are motivated to speak out for the project. e them the vision to use in
heir networking.
p civic leaders and decision in and ask for input.
Create some social media tools like graphic web
sites and newsletters, which can carry the high impact messages.
tart the entitlement process and rely on design guidelines to carry the project ection with flexibility. Do not over regulate the future designers so they can elevant.
It may be time for you to makeover your investment!