Zoned Use Or Mixed Use; The Key to Renewal in Our Cities
This research shall examine some of the major thoughts of city & region planning, and through analysis of both literature and case studies, determine the more successful theory for revitalization in major urban areas.
In many situations, it appears that suburban planning is detrimental to urban areas. This assumption is based on the workings of the city; cities and their areas that thrive have a "mixed use" base, meaning that an area has a mixture of both residential, commercial and entertainment areas. Suburban planning is based on the idea of "zones," where a whole tract or area is strictly for residential use, or for commercial use. It seems that mixed use planning is more appropriate and successful for city planning, and can also lead to surrounding areas being revitalized.
In order to determine this assumption is correct, I plan on reviewing current literature on planning history, law, and theory. This will give me the basis to properly analyze my case study, the State Street area in the Loop of Downtown Chicago, and its 2 major revitalization plans from 1979 to the present.
After reviewing the case study, I hope to determine that the first renovation, which created the "State Street Mall," was unsuccessful due to its attempt to recreate a suburban shopping center in an urban area. This seemed to discourage growth in the area. I also hope to determine that the next major renovation, one that falls under the idea of "New Urbanism," was successful. This stems from the theory behind "New Urbanism," where mixed uses in the area are encouraged, and both foot and automobile traffic are encouraged and controlled. This renovation, relying heavily on mixed use planning, was successful and helped to spawn other renovations, and the creation of the North Loop Theater District.
In many situations, it appears that suburban planning is detrimental to urban areas. This assumption is based on the workings of the city; cities and their areas that thrive have a "mixed use" base, meaning that an area has a mixture of both residential, commercial and entertainment areas. Suburban planning is based on the idea of "zones," where a whole tract or area is strictly for residential use, or for commercial use. It seems that mixed use planning is more appropriate and successful for city planning, and can also lead to surrounding areas being revitalized.
In order to determine this assumption is correct, I plan on reviewing current literature on planning history, law, and theory. This will give me the basis to properly analyze my case study, the State Street area in the Loop of Downtown Chicago, and its 2 major revitalization plans from 1979 to the present.
After reviewing the case study, I hope to determine that the first renovation, which created the "State Street Mall," was unsuccessful due to its attempt to recreate a suburban shopping center in an urban area. This seemed to discourage growth in the area. I also hope to determine that the next major renovation, one that falls under the idea of "New Urbanism," was successful. This stems from the theory behind "New Urbanism," where mixed uses in the area are encouraged, and both foot and automobile traffic are encouraged and controlled. This renovation, relying heavily on mixed use planning, was successful and helped to spawn other renovations, and the creation of the North Loop Theater District.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Architecture
Research Advisor:
Christopher Silver
Department of Research Advisor:
Urban & Regional Planning
Year of Publication:
2002