WhatMakesaGoodCity?Part2Whatisa“goodcity”?1.   Prosperous–highlevelof

economicenergycombinedwithaffordability

2.   Sustainable–managinghuman,

natural,andfinancialresourcestomeetcurrentneedswhileensuringadequateresourcesandacleanenvironmentareavailableforfuturegenerations

3.   Resilient–abletobouncebackfromunexpectedadversityandchanges

Top:Living,workingandplayinginadaptivelyreusedbuildings,Charlotte,SouthEndVisionPlan.ImagecourtesyofCharlotteCenterCityPartnersBottom:StreetcaratPortlandStateUniversity(ThiscouldbeCPCConElizabethAvenue!) Presentation©2017.DavidWalters,RIBA,ProfessorEmeritusofArchitectureandUrbanDesign,UNCCharlotte

Achievingthesethreegoalsrequiresmorethanjustindividualtalent

Trustingindividualdesignersanddeveloperstogetthemrightontheirownislikerollingthediceandhopingforthebest.

Someprofessionalsdoknowhowtodoit:Example:BirkdaleVillage,Huntersville,apioneeringdevelopmentaheadofitstime(completedin2000).

It’snotperfect.Birkdaledesperatelyneedspropertransportationinfrastructuretoovercomeextensivecar-dependency.Butwithoutagoodzoningcodethesitewouldhavebeenagenericandlacklusterbig-boxwasteland.

Thetown’sstrong“form-based”zoningcode,*plusarchitectsanddeveloperswhounderstoodgoodurbandesign,createdanotable“destination”andthedefactotowncenterforHuntersville.

BirkdaleVillageMainStreet.PhotocourtesyofTownofHuntersvilleandShookKelly,architectsandurbandesigners

*Note:A“form-based”zoningcodeisthemostadvancedzoningtoolincurrentpractice.Itiscalled“form-based”becauseitsprimaryconcerniswiththeform,orphysicalcharacterofeachneighborhoodanddistrictinacity.Old-fashionedzoningfromthe1950sonwardfocusedalmostexclusivelyonusesandcars,payingnoattentiontourbancharacterormakingplacesforpeople.Form-basedcodestakeuseseriously,butmanybuildingschangeuseovertime,soitismostimportanttogettherighturbanformandcharacter.Thoseconditionswillhandlechangesofuseformanydecades,supportingthegoalsofresilienceandsustainability.

Yes,achievingthesethreegoalsrequiresmorethanrelyingonindividualtalent...

Somedesigners,unfortunately,don’thavemuchofaclueaboutgoodurbanism.

ThisbadexampleofurbanismisonCentralAvenueinPlaza-Midwood.Thepedestrianlevelisblank,ugly,unfriendlytopedestrians,evendangerouswithdark,semi-concealedalcoveswherepeoplecanlurk.Goodzoningcodesrequirestreetlevelfaçadestobetransparentandinhabited.

Thismeansthereshouldbevisiblesignsoflifeatstreetlevel:Peoplelivehere/peopleworkhere.

Architectsshouldnotneedtobetoldthisobviousfact.

Think of good and bad examples as “potluck” urbanism.Whether Charlotte getsgood urbanprojects today is like throwinghandfulsof spices intoapotandhoping the food tastesgood.Whatweneedinsteadisanewkindof“urbancookbook”togetitrighteverytime. Charlotte’sproposednewUnifiedDevelopmentOrdinance(UDO)shouldbefullof“urbanrecipes”forbuildingaprosperous,safeandsustainablecity

KeyIngredientsforawell-designed,sustainablecity

1.Astrong,straightforwardzoningcodethatemphasizesurbandesignprinciplesthatcreatesustainablecities2.Forward-thinkingdevelopers3.Competentdesigners

Developermotivationanddesignercompetencevary:Sometimestheysupportgoodcity-making,othertimestheyunderminethepublicgood.

So...Thezoningcodemustalwayspromotegoodurbandesignprinciples.Theseregulationssupporttheworkofgooddesignersandstopbaddesignersfrommessingupourcity.

Publicpolicyandmarketinnovationmustbebalanced:a) Aestheticsofbuildingsaresubjectiveandshouldbeonlylightlycoded.b) Thecreationofthepublicinfrastructureandhowbuildingsshapepublicspacemustfollowclearrulesofgooddesign.Thisisnotoptional.

AssemblyRow,Somerville,Mass.Anewmixed-usedevelopmentcreatedaroundanewtransitstationonBoston’sOrangeLine.Thishighlysuccessfuldevelopmentisgovernedbyanurbandesigncodethatsetsdesignprinciplesforpublicspacesandhowbuildingsshapethosespaceswiththeirmassingandfaçades.

Withallthesefactors,gettingthecoderightiscrucial.Hereisasimpleexampleofacodeaddressingthedesignofbuildingfaçadesthatshapepublicspace.Thesearelike“walls”toour“urbanrooms”andmusthavetransparencybetweeninsideandoutforpublicsafety– “eyesonthestreet.”Groundfloorsmustcontainhabitablespacevisiblefromthestreet:Clearsignsofhumanoccupationinsidebuildingsincreasessafetyinpublicspaceoutside.Blankwallswithnodoorsorwindowsmakesidewalkslesssafe.Thesecodesarelessaboutaestheticsandmoreaboutpublicsafety. CodeexampleadaptedfromtheTownofDavidsonPlanningOrdinance

Site & Building Design Standards I 4.6 General Building Design Requirements (expands 9.1.2, 9.1.3, 9.2.5, 9.2.7)

D A V I D S O N P L A N N I N G O R D I N A N C E 5 3Town of Davidson, NC

B. Facade Transparency1. The table below establishes minimum requirements for facade transparency by building

type. The requirements apply only to facades which face a public street or park.2. All windows and glazing used to meet the minimum requirements must allow views from

habitable areas within the building to the street or property line, except where obstructed by the display of merchandise for retail uses.

3. Windows or fixed glass areas in doorways may be used to satisfy the minimum requirements except in doorways designed for egress only.

4. All glass areas shall be designed to make uses inside easily discernible to passersby. 5. Glass block, reflective or highly tinted glass, faux windows, or casement display windows

cannot be used to satisfy the minimum requirements.

MINIMUM FACADE TRANSPARENCY

Ground Floor Facade* Upper Floor Facades** Total Facade Area

Building Types

Residential Buildings

Detached House - - 10%

Attached House (Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex) - - 10%

Townhouse - - 10%

Apartment - - 15%

Mixed-Use & Commercial

Buildings

Live/Work Unit 50% 30% -

Mixed-Use/Storefront 65% 30% -

Suburban Campus (Commercial, Industrial) 25% 20% -

Civic/Institutional - - -

*Minimum percentage applies to the area of the facade between 3 feet and 8 feet above the finished first floor.**Minimum percentage applies to the lineal footage of the facade with some type of window or fixed glass.

RESIDENTIAL FACADE TRANSPARENCY(Transparent facade area / total facade area) ≥ min. % from table

A B C D E F

8 ft

3 ft

MIXED-USE & COMMERCIAL FACADE TRANSPARENCYGround Floor: Transparent facade % between 3 ft and 8 ft above finished floor ≥ min. % from tableUpper Floors: [(A+B+C+D+E+F) / total facade width] ≥ min. % from table

Site & Building Design Standards I 4.6 General Building Design Requirements (expands 9.1.2, 9.1.3, 9.2.5, 9.2.7)

D A V I D S O N P L A N N I N G O R D I N A N C E 5 3Town of Davidson, NC

B. Facade Transparency1. The table below establishes minimum requirements for facade transparency by building

type. The requirements apply only to facades which face a public street or park.2. All windows and glazing used to meet the minimum requirements must allow views from

habitable areas within the building to the street or property line, except where obstructed by the display of merchandise for retail uses.

3. Windows or fixed glass areas in doorways may be used to satisfy the minimum requirements except in doorways designed for egress only.

4. All glass areas shall be designed to make uses inside easily discernible to passersby. 5. Glass block, reflective or highly tinted glass, faux windows, or casement display windows

cannot be used to satisfy the minimum requirements.

MINIMUM FACADE TRANSPARENCY

Ground Floor Facade* Upper Floor Facades** Total Facade Area

Building Types

Residential Buildings

Detached House - - 10%

Attached House (Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex) - - 10%

Townhouse - - 10%

Apartment - - 15%

Mixed-Use & Commercial

Buildings

Live/Work Unit 50% 30% -

Mixed-Use/Storefront 65% 30% -

Suburban Campus (Commercial, Industrial) 25% 20% -

Civic/Institutional - - -

*Minimum percentage applies to the area of the facade between 3 feet and 8 feet above the finished first floor.**Minimum percentage applies to the lineal footage of the facade with some type of window or fixed glass.

RESIDENTIAL FACADE TRANSPARENCY(Transparent facade area / total facade area) ≥ min. % from table

A B C D E F

8 ft

3 ft

MIXED-USE & COMMERCIAL FACADE TRANSPARENCYGround Floor: Transparent facade % between 3 ft and 8 ft above finished floor ≥ min. % from tableUpper Floors: [(A+B+C+D+E+F) / total facade width] ≥ min. % from table

Site & Building Design Standards I 4.6 General Building Design Requirements (expands 9.1.2, 9.1.3, 9.2.5, 9.2.7)

D A V I D S O N P L A N N I N G O R D I N A N C E 5 3Town of Davidson, NC

B. Facade Transparency1. The table below establishes minimum requirements for facade transparency by building

type. The requirements apply only to facades which face a public street or park.2. All windows and glazing used to meet the minimum requirements must allow views from

habitable areas within the building to the street or property line, except where obstructed by the display of merchandise for retail uses.

3. Windows or fixed glass areas in doorways may be used to satisfy the minimum requirements except in doorways designed for egress only.

4. All glass areas shall be designed to make uses inside easily discernible to passersby. 5. Glass block, reflective or highly tinted glass, faux windows, or casement display windows

cannot be used to satisfy the minimum requirements.

MINIMUM FACADE TRANSPARENCY

Ground Floor Facade* Upper Floor Facades** Total Facade Area

Building Types

Residential Buildings

Detached House - - 10%

Attached House (Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex) - - 10%

Townhouse - - 10%

Apartment - - 15%

Mixed-Use & Commercial

Buildings

Live/Work Unit 50% 30% -

Mixed-Use/Storefront 65% 30% -

Suburban Campus (Commercial, Industrial) 25% 20% -

Civic/Institutional - - -

*Minimum percentage applies to the area of the facade between 3 feet and 8 feet above the finished first floor.**Minimum percentage applies to the lineal footage of the facade with some type of window or fixed glass.

RESIDENTIAL FACADE TRANSPARENCY(Transparent facade area / total facade area) ≥ min. % from table

A B C D E F

8 ft

3 ft

MIXED-USE & COMMERCIAL FACADE TRANSPARENCYGround Floor: Transparent facade % between 3 ft and 8 ft above finished floor ≥ min. % from tableUpper Floors: [(A+B+C+D+E+F) / total facade width] ≥ min. % from table

Thecodehasclearillustrationsandnumberstoquantifytheminimumareasofwindowsanddoors

Howform-basedcodesfocusfirstontheurbancharacterofdistrictsandneighborhoodsDiagramsareimportantinform-basedcodes,andtheyaccompanystraightforwarddescriptivetext.

Thesediagramsshowsimplifiedplansofthreedifferentdistrictsinaneighborhood,withsimplesection-cutsthroughbuildingsandstreetsaboveeachplan.

“UN”showsattachedanddetacheddwellingsandgardensinplanandsection.

“UCMX”showshigherdensitytownhomesandapartments.

“DT”illustratescontinuous“MainStreet”typebuildings

AdaptedfromthedraftHaynie-SirrineNeighborhoodCode,CityofGreenville,S.C.

Thenthecodeestablishesmoredetail....URBANNEIGHBORHOOD(UN)Notesunder“GeneralCharacter”ineachdistrictsetoutthedifferenttypesofusesthatcontributetothatcharacter.URBANCORRIDORMIXEDUSE(UCMX)“FrontageTypes”ineachdistrict(seenextslide)fixthewaysprivatebuildingsdefinepublicspace.Thisisimportant.DOWNTOWNTRANSITION(DT)

AdaptedfromthedraftHaynie-SirrineNeighborhoodCode,CityofGreenville,S.C.,

Oneofthemostimportantthingsingoodzoningcodesisestablishinghowprivatebuildingshelpshapeanddefinepublicspace.Thetermforthisis“frontage.”Theseexamplesaredrawninsimplesectionthroughbuildings(ontheleft)andthespaceinfrontofthem.Thedottedverticallinemarkstheright-of-way(ROW)–theedgeofpublicspace,thestreet,whereitmeetsprivateland. SECTION PLAN

LOT PRIVATE

FRONTAGE

►►

◄◄

R.O.W.PUBLICFRONTAGE

LOT PRIVATE

FRONTAGE

►►

◄◄

R.O.W.PUBLIC FRONTAGE

A. Common Lawn: a planted Frontage wherein the Facade is set back substantially from the Frontage Line. The front yard created remains unfenced and is visually continuous with adjacent yards, supporting a common landscape. The deep Setback provides a buffer from the higher speed Thoroughfares.

B. Porch & Fence: a planted Frontage wherein the Facade is set back from the Frontage Line with an attached porch permitted to Encroach. A fence at the Frontage Line maintains street spatial definition. Porches shall be no less than 8 feet deep.

C. Terrace or Lightwell: a Frontage wherein the Facade is set back from the Frontage line by an elevated terrace or a sunken Lightwell. This type buffers Residential use from urban Sidewalks and removes the private yard from public Encroachment. Terraces are suitable for conversion to outdoor cafes.

UNUCMX

D. Forecourt: a Frontage wherein a portion of the Facade is close to the Frontage Line and the central portion is set back. The Forecourt created is suitable for vehicular drop-offs. This type should be allocated in conjunction with other Frontage types. Large trees within the Forecourts may overhang the Sidewalks.

E. Stoop: a Frontage wherein the Facade is aligned close to the Frontage Line with the first Story elevated from the Sidewalk sufficiently to secure privacy for the windows. The entrance is usually an exterior stair and landing. This type is recommended for ground-floor Residential use.

F. Shopfront: a Frontage wherein the Facade is aligned close to the Frontage Line with the building entrance at Sidewalk grade. This type is conventional for Retail use. It has a substantial glazing on the Sidewalk level and an awning that may overlap the Sidewalk to within 2 feet of the Curb.

G. Gallery: a Frontage wherein the Facade is aligned close to the Frontage line with an attached cantilevered shed or a lightweight colonnade overlapping the Sidewalk. This type is conventional for Retail use. The Gallery shall be no less than 10 feet wide and should overlap the Sidewalk to within 2 feet of the Curb.

H. Arcade: a colonnade supporting habitable space that overlaps the Sidewalk, while the Facade at Sidewalk level remains at or behind the Frontage Line. This type is conventional for Retail use. The Arcade shall be no less than 12 feet wide and should overlap the Sidewalk to within 2 feet of the Curb.

4.5 TABLE OF PRIVATE FRONTAGES

The Private Frontage is the area between the building Facades and the Lot lines. The Private Frontage of buildings shall conform to and be allocated in accordance with the allowances for each district specified below.

UN

UCMXDT

UCMX

UCMX

UN

UCMXDT

DT

DT

UNUCMX

DT

ARTICLE 4: DISTRICT PROVISIONSHAYNIE-SIRRINE NEIGHBORHOOD CODE

13

City of Greenville, SC

Draft 10.9.13

UN

FrontageType‘C’isexactlytheconditiononBoston’sfamousNewburyStreetintheBackBayarea.

SECTION PLANLOT

PRIVATE FRONTAGE

►►

◄◄

R.O.W.PUBLICFRONTAGE

LOT PRIVATE

FRONTAGE

►►

◄◄

R.O.W.PUBLIC FRONTAGE

A. Common Lawn: a planted Frontage wherein the Facade is set back substantially from the Frontage Line. The front yard created remains unfenced and is visually continuous with adjacent yards, supporting a common landscape. The deep Setback provides a buffer from the higher speed Thoroughfares.

B. Porch & Fence: a planted Frontage wherein the Facade is set back from the Frontage Line with an attached porch permitted to Encroach. A fence at the Frontage Line maintains street spatial definition. Porches shall be no less than 8 feet deep.

C. Terrace or Lightwell: a Frontage wherein the Facade is set back from the Frontage line by an elevated terrace or a sunken Lightwell. This type buffers Residential use from urban Sidewalks and removes the private yard from public Encroachment. Terraces are suitable for conversion to outdoor cafes.

UNUCMX

D. Forecourt: a Frontage wherein a portion of the Facade is close to the Frontage Line and the central portion is set back. The Forecourt created is suitable for vehicular drop-offs. This type should be allocated in conjunction with other Frontage types. Large trees within the Forecourts may overhang the Sidewalks.

E. Stoop: a Frontage wherein the Facade is aligned close to the Frontage Line with the first Story elevated from the Sidewalk sufficiently to secure privacy for the windows. The entrance is usually an exterior stair and landing. This type is recommended for ground-floor Residential use.

F. Shopfront: a Frontage wherein the Facade is aligned close to the Frontage Line with the building entrance at Sidewalk grade. This type is conventional for Retail use. It has a substantial glazing on the Sidewalk level and an awning that may overlap the Sidewalk to within 2 feet of the Curb.

G. Gallery: a Frontage wherein the Facade is aligned close to the Frontage line with an attached cantilevered shed or a lightweight colonnade overlapping the Sidewalk. This type is conventional for Retail use. The Gallery shall be no less than 10 feet wide and should overlap the Sidewalk to within 2 feet of the Curb.

H. Arcade: a colonnade supporting habitable space that overlaps the Sidewalk, while the Facade at Sidewalk level remains at or behind the Frontage Line. This type is conventional for Retail use. The Arcade shall be no less than 12 feet wide and should overlap the Sidewalk to within 2 feet of the Curb.

4.5 TABLE OF PRIVATE FRONTAGES

The Private Frontage is the area between the building Facades and the Lot lines. The Private Frontage of buildings shall conform to and be allocated in accordance with the allowances for each district specified below.

UN

UCMXDT

UCMX

UCMX

UN

UCMXDT

DT

DT

UNUCMX

DT

ARTICLE 4: DISTRICT PROVISIONSHAYNIE-SIRRINE NEIGHBORHOOD CODE

13

City of Greenville, SC

Draft 10.9.13

UN

Form-basedzoningcodesusegoodexamplesofurbanismasprecedentsandcreatediagramsthatcapturegoodurban“DNA.”

NewburyStreet(right)wasbuilt150yearsagoasposhtownhomes.Nowthesamebuildingsarehometotop-of-the-lineshops,offices,restaurants,apartmentsandotheruses.

Useschange.RobusturbanareassuchasBackBayacceptchangesbutwithminimalalterationtotheirurbanform.Thisway,urbanformssustainthemselves,gatheringpatinasofhistoryandcharacter.

Theyareresilient.(Andoftenprosperous).

SlideandoriginalresearchcourtesyofJoeMinicozzi.BasedoncasestudiesandtaxnumbersinAsheville.

Because,ofcourse,theotherimportantfactorismoneyThecompact,mixed-usedevelopmentfoundinresilientandsustainableurbanneighborhoodscreatesmuchmorevalueforcommunities.Numbersbelow(fromAsheville,N.C.)showhowmuchmorevalueperacreiscreatedbydenser,mixed-use,andwalkabledevelopment.Imaginethebenefitstocitytaxpayersifsimilarcompact,mixed-usedevelopmenttookoverthe34acresoftheWalmart’sbigboxandhugeasphaltparkinglot.That’salotofextramoneyforthecitytouseforstreets,parks,transit,etc.Alternativelythatextrataxrevenuecouldhelpkeepresidentialpropertytaxesaffordable.Thisanalysisisausefulcorrectiveforthosewhomistakenlythinkbig-boxstoresaretaxwindfalls.

Twofinalwordsofwarning(orencouragement)

1.Usually,peoplewhoarguefor“flexibility”arereallyaskingtowriggleoutofrequirementsthatsafeguardthepublicgood.Theyseekthe“freedom”todoasecond-orthird-ratejob–orworse. 2.Azoningcodeisintendedtosafeguardthehealth,safetyandwelfareofthegeneralpublic.Astrongcodeisaninstrumentforthepublicgood.Weakcodesarelittlemorethanalicensefordeveloperstomakemoney.

ThissubdivisioncouldbeanywhereUSA.Thezoningcodethatpermittedthistobebuiltcaredprimarilyabouttwothings:

1.Makingsurecarswerecomfortableattheexpenseofbikesandpedestrians.2.Makingsurethehousingwasrigidlysegregatedfromanyotherusethatneighborsmightwanttowalkto.

Photo:NancyPierce

Paris,RuedeRivoli.Thismagnificentexampleofurbanism,completedin1848,isrecognizedasoneofthegreatestpublicstreetsintheworld.

Itwasconstructedunderspecificdesignregulations(whatwewouldnowcall“form-basedcodes”)utilizingrulescontrollingbuildingheight,massingandfaçadedesignembodiedinearlier

“LettersofPatent”issuedin1757.

Greaturbanismisproducedbyfollowingrulesthat–firstandforemost–shapethepublicspacesofthecityaroundpeople(notcars).