Downtown Density Defines a Social City

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Last Updated: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:01 PM PST

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Downtown Density Defines a Social City
By Leslie McKerns Fri, 27 Apr 2007, 07:25 PST

Downtown Density makes a social city when the focus is on creating a dynamic skyline with great architecture and a people friendly streetscape. With overall density (sprawl) a concern, cities are more than ever intent on creating a social city hub and a walkable town--with activity centers adjacent to very livable neighborhoods. City planners are moving away from mere urban walls and towards building vibrant downtown spaces with a sense of place, drawing people to the area.

According to Doug Eagon, President, Stiles Corporation, one of Ft. Lauderdale�s founding fathers, a city must have the density of population necessary to support its restaurants, cultural and institutional landmarks. It is density that supports a desirable, amenity rich urban lifestyle--museums, restaurants and cultural attractions need people to support a dynamic live-work-play lifestyle. According to Eagon, a people-oriented downtown is an inspirational environment�very different from suburbia, and an attractive place where people want to be.

As popular as is the trend towards globalization, more people are feeling compelled to support local business and community initiatives. Further, people are seeking a sense of connectedness known as a sense of place.

Eagon speaks of Ft. Lauderdale as being one of the best cities in the State, if not the entire US, because it has a dynamic central business district and a true downtown in its best definition, with a combination of functions, not just office, supporting a lively day to night atmosphere. You can walk to the beach, downtown or a museum. If you drive, your destination is typically only a mile and a half. In a half-mile radius you have hundreds of restaurants, cultural and educational centers such Museums, the Performing Arts Center, and two of Florida�s 100 universities, FAU, and BCC.

�In an urban environment you have the pleasure of doing business while seeing other people. Because much of life is informality, networking done this way is much more effective. People are outside enjoying the weather and each other, and it is a subtle but electric way of conducting business.�

Terry Stiles, Chairman and CEO to Stiles Corporation, has been steering his multi-faceted organization since 1971, growing the full-service real estate development company into one of the largest in the Southeast. With over 32 million square feet completed, Stiles� organization has greatly contributed to the social city that is Ft. Lauderdale, creating many of the signature downtown and iconic buildings currently defining the cityscape and streetscape - 300 Las Olas Place, Las Olas Centre, Bank of America Plaza at Las Olas City Centre, and 350 Las Olas Place.

Eagon joined the company in 1981, bringing with him an extensive background of urban planning and governmental experience. Before joining Stiles, he served as a city planner for both the City of Fort Lauderdale Planning Department and the Broward County Office of Planning.

One of the biggest visioning efforts is in determining what is next and in making mixed-use projects work because of their exponential complexity. Land assembly is difficult as parcels are assembled from multiple owners, government approvals are more complex because of the multiple functions, and construction costs are higher. Building parking for a suburban project involves a flat lot; an urban project requires a parking garage.

Adaptive reuse and reconfigured buildings offer all kinds of possibilities. And, as these projects are also driven by market demand and economic feasibility, they are being carefully studied.

Keywords: downtown density, urban building projects, building and development in Florida, mixed-use projects in Florida, walkable towns, City of Ft. Lauderdale, McKerns Development, cityscape and streetscapes, livable neighborhoods, effective city planning, adaptive reuse for buildings and cities, lively city atmosphere

About the Author:
Leslie McKerns writes about building and development. Want more about Florida and its lifestyle? Visit McKerns Development, strategic PR, press and marketing website: http://www.freewebs.com/mckernsdevelopment

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