Community Concerns - Working with Developers
Often, real estate developers get a bad rap. While there are some who deserve a bad reputation, most are simply trying to provide a community with buildings and places which benefit those communities as well as their own development businesses. Developing real estate is difficult. There are many obstacles that can derail a project and developers must provide an outlay of money during a project’s conceptualization to figure out what those hurdles are. According to some estimates, 70% of all real estate development projects die on the drawing board. Communities who understand the motives and needs of real estate developers, and who provide an easy path for the development of buildings and places they want, are much more likely to get what they want.
Neighborhoods - Tools for Planning
Many developers recoil at the thought of community participation during development projects. However, community engagement is very important in letting developers know what the community needs and wants. The best community engagement happens before a particular project is proposed. Find out some of the tools that can be employed before and during a development project’s realization.
Streets - Scale and Proportion
When a community sets the parameters for the scale and proportion of its street corridors, it’s telling every developer who follows with an idea for a building fundamentally what the community expects. Learn how setting these parameters makes these indications.
Buildings - Forming the Public Realm
The design of buildings has the power to shape neighborhoods. If buildings are designed thoughtfully, they can form a cohesive and lively environment. Communities should clearly explain to all potential developers what fundamental forms it expects its new buildings to have.
Buildings - Stimulating Special Places
A community’s special places – such as intersections, plazas, and pocket parks – are formed and affected by the buildings that surround them. Find out what priorities are important for communities to explain to developers and architects to achieve comfortable, vibrant gathering spots worthy of a community’s pride.
Buildings - Architectural Design
Buildings that are thoughtfully designed establish the quality of a neighborhood – for better or for worse. There is no substitute for a gifted architect and a willing owner / developer, but communities can influence what aspects of architectural design are important. Learn which architectural elements are important to influence, and which ones aren’t.
Public Places - Small Gathering Spaces
Civic spaces are a great opportunity for communities to establish a neighborhood’s personality and character. These special places don’t have to cost a lot and they can provide valuable amenities which encourage development.