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Sustainable Urbanism/ Sustainable Communities A Special Presentation to Village of Plainfield Mahender Vasandani President, M Square | Urban Design June 22, 2009 M Slide 2 Sustainable Urbanism/ Sustainable Communities Whats New: The Challenges Heighten the Urgency Economic Challenges Climate Change Challenges M Slide 3 3 Sustainable Urbanism/Sustainable Communities M What Is Sustainable Urbanism? Obama Administration: Sustainable Communities Challenges for Communities Creation of Compact, Connected Neighborhoods Key: Accepting DENSITIES Recommendations for Actions Slide 4 4 Sustainable Urbanism/Sustainable Communities M Sustainable Urbanism Predominantly Neighborhood Living Mixed-Uses and Life-cycle Living Choices Variety of Housing and Transportation Choices Compact, Connected and Complete Neighborhoods Energy Efficient Buildings and Infrastructure Obama Administration: Sustainable Communities Joint HUD/DOT/EPA Sustainable Communities Initiative Integrate Housing and Transportation Planning Local Government Grants* Community Development Initiatives Land-use and Zoning Updates Facilitate Mixed-Use Developments, Building Rehab Better Link Built Environment to Existing Infrastructure Slide 5 5 Mission of 2002 Plainfield Plan: The Village of Plainfield promotes a friendly, safe and diverse community; offering a variety of cultural opportunities and a high quality of living. Plainfield will maintain its commitment to strengthening community spirit and embrace its historic character while improving transportation options, increasing access to services, and enhancing open space. M Slide 6 6 2002 Plainfield Plan for 2020: The Village of Plainfield promotes a friendly, safe and diverse community; offering a variety of cultural opportunities and a high quality of living. Plainfield will maintain its commitment to strengthening community spirit and embrace its historic character while improving transportation options, increasing access to services, and enhancing open space. Current Inc. Area: ~ 14,000 Acres Build-out Plan: ~ 41,000 Acres Almost 2/3 More To Build Q. Do We Continue to Plan and Build the Way We Have in the Past? OR M Slide 7 7 M Our Planning LegacyWe Are Still Doing It! Single-Site, Single-Use, Low-Density Focus Slide 8 8 M Low-Density vs. High-Density Along Major Arterials An Unfair Comparison, ButUrban Design Considerations Slide 9 9 M The Dreaded D - Word Almost Automatic Rejection of High-Density Need to Distinguish Between Two-types of Densities : The Bad Density and The Good Density The Good Density is Healthy for a Community Slide 10 10 M Good High Density: Example 1 High Quality of Life and Sense of Place: Because of Good Urban Design and Good Architecture; Highly Desirable in the Marketplace Grosvenor Square, London Slide 11 11 M Good High Density: Example 2 High Quality of Life and Sense of Place Because of Good Urban Design and Good Architecture; Highly Desirable in the Marketplace Essex Square, London Slide 12 12 M Good High Density Can Not Exist in Isolation Needs to Be Within Self-Contained Neighborhoods: Compact (Walkable), Connected and Complete With Mixed-Uses, Third Places and Local Work Legacy Center, TX Slide 13 13 M Good High Density As Part of TODs High Density Near Stations: A Plus for Providing People with Transportation Options, Reducing Car Dependence and Improving Air Quality Plano, TX Slide 14 14 M Good High Density: Great for Placemaking Addison Circle, TX Good Urban Form: Urban Areas with Distinct Personality and Sense of Place Slide 15 15 M Good High Density: Highly Desirable in the Market Place Compact, Connected and Complete Neighborhoods Housing Choices (Lifecycle) Transportation Choices Conserve Energy Reduce Carbon Emissions Great Places Slide 16 16 M Challenges Do We Continue Previous Developments Patterns? Or, Do We Allow New Development Patterns? Should We Re-Think, Re-Tool and Re-Set Now? Recommendations for Actions Review Land Use Plan for SUSTAINABILITY As needed, Update Land Use Plan As needed, Update Zoning Ordinance As needed, Adopt New Regulations such as Form-Based Codes To Allow: Creation of High-Density Neighborhoods with Mixed-Uses More Transportation Choices More Housing Choices Slide 17 17 M Thank You! Mahender Vasandani President M Square | Urban Design T: 630.845.1202 C: 630.853.0733 E; mgv@msqre.com