Submitted by WA Contents
Mixed-Use Isn`t Enough: `Omni-Use` Cores Enliven the Metropolis
Architecture News - Jun 16, 2008 - 18:17 3803 views
It is no longer good enough to plop housing ontop of a retail strip, call it "mixed-use," and expect to intelligentlyimprove the urban setting, or build real value. True metropolitandevelopment – and real, long-term commercial success – fuses many usestogether, including hotels, retail, restaurant-bars, museums, stadiums,libraries, movie theaters, housing and even creative live/work lightindustrial.
www.planetizen.com/node/33476
Urban planning has evolved considerably inthe last 20 years, from demolition and drab single-use office districtsto urban rehabilitation and mixed-use zoning. Life is returning todowntowns from Portland to Milwaukee, block by block as newdevelopments get built and old buildings are given new life.
The stage is thus set for central cities to reclaim their history asrich crucibles, attractive to locals and travelers alike, filled withcompeting and complimentary uses, each jostling and enhancing theother. It is my belief that "omni-use" development in our urban coresis key to reclaiming that history, including an aggressive use ofspecialty hotels.
www.planetizen.com/node/33476