Main Street Dartmouth is but one area in the world that has recognized 21st century problems. These are some shinning examples of how we can unite to build solutions.
Form-based coding
As of 2013, Main Street Dartmouth has adopted form-based coding. Instead of allowing developers to build a building with just profit in mind, form-based coding must 'form" to the type of community that its citizens would like to have. A building is meant to have a relationship with its citizens and surroundings. Special attention is put towards greenery and public spaces. Form-based coding has been around for nearly 40 years but has recently skyrocketed in popularity. Since 2003, 86% of the 400+ known form-based coding initiatives were adopted.
Form based coding begins with community consultation. Each vision is unique to the area. Form-based coding can be issued for a street, community or entire city. Instead of putting profit before community, developers must mesh with the proposed vision. They must do things like regulate the appearance of their buildings, put parking behind or underneath, contribute greenery and build for walkability. Developers benefit from form based coding because it gets them around red tape and lengthy review processes. In the long run, form-based coding can transform undesirable areas into vibrant hubs of activity.
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List of areas that have adopted form based coding
Form based coding begins with community consultation. Each vision is unique to the area. Form-based coding can be issued for a street, community or entire city. Instead of putting profit before community, developers must mesh with the proposed vision. They must do things like regulate the appearance of their buildings, put parking behind or underneath, contribute greenery and build for walkability. Developers benefit from form based coding because it gets them around red tape and lengthy review processes. In the long run, form-based coding can transform undesirable areas into vibrant hubs of activity.
More information
List of areas that have adopted form based coding
Form-based coding in practice...
Columbia Pike in Arlington, Virginia
The Columbia Pike has a long history in Arlington and was once a, “vibrant hub of retail activity.” However, it went through a period of lengthy decline. It was left as a, “hodgepodge of parking lots and drive-though fast food restaurants.”
In 2003, the 3 ½ mile corridor adopted form-based coding with the goal to, “spur economic development with attractive buildings, walkable neighbourhoods, and inviting public spaces.” The plans took three years of community consultation. They wanted to push for mixed-use buildings and increased transit services. The area was one of the first in North America to adopt form-based coding with great success.
Prior to the adoption of form based coding, no mixed-use developments had been built in the area for four decades. 12 years after the initial plans were approved, eight major mixed-used developments were initiated in the area. 1,600 new residential units were added along with 210,00 square feet of commercial space. Several more projects have been approved and are in the works.
By 2040, its expected that another 7,300 residents, 7,000 jobs and 2.2 million square feet of commercial space will be added to the Columbia Pike corridor.
More information
In 2003, the 3 ½ mile corridor adopted form-based coding with the goal to, “spur economic development with attractive buildings, walkable neighbourhoods, and inviting public spaces.” The plans took three years of community consultation. They wanted to push for mixed-use buildings and increased transit services. The area was one of the first in North America to adopt form-based coding with great success.
Prior to the adoption of form based coding, no mixed-use developments had been built in the area for four decades. 12 years after the initial plans were approved, eight major mixed-used developments were initiated in the area. 1,600 new residential units were added along with 210,00 square feet of commercial space. Several more projects have been approved and are in the works.
By 2040, its expected that another 7,300 residents, 7,000 jobs and 2.2 million square feet of commercial space will be added to the Columbia Pike corridor.
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Sunset Drive in South Miami, Florida
In 1992, the city of South Miami saw their Main Street deteriorating. They adopted a plan to make the area more pedestrian friendly. The community rallied together to fund landscaping projects, introduce wider sidewalks, and fund mixed-use buildings. They invested in residential property for all income levels, assuring a vibrant community.
The Hometown Station is a current project along Sunset Drive. What was once a large, open, ugly parking garage will be transformed into a building that could be mistaken for residential housing. It will be enclosed, expanded and the bottom of the parking garage, transformed into commercial space that features an assortment of restaurants.
For more information:
South Miami Hometown - Build a Better Burb: The Online Journal of Suburban Design
The Hometown Plan - Dover, Kohl & Partners
The Hometown Station is a current project along Sunset Drive. What was once a large, open, ugly parking garage will be transformed into a building that could be mistaken for residential housing. It will be enclosed, expanded and the bottom of the parking garage, transformed into commercial space that features an assortment of restaurants.
For more information:
South Miami Hometown - Build a Better Burb: The Online Journal of Suburban Design
The Hometown Plan - Dover, Kohl & Partners
Mixed-use buildings
Big box retailers are usually the leaders in suburban sprawl. National chains like Walmart tend to build big, sprawling buildings surrounded by large parking lots. Should Walmart or another big chain wish to set up shop in the Main Street area, they will have to comply with the land use by-laws. Mixed-use buildings are a key element of Main Street's new form based coding laws. In Washington, DC, Walmart adopted local by-laws and built stores that are much more community oriented. When retailers build within form-based coding, the result is buildings that work with the area and its residents. They have more windows, underground parking, eye pleasing facades and the possibility of residential or office space in the same structure. Should the big box retailer leave the area, the community isn't left with an abandoned and costly eye sore. Mixed-use buildings can quickly be converted into another use, the typical "sprawling" Walmart cannot.
Benefit Corporations
It has traditionally been perceived that corporations exists for the sole purpose of maximizing profit for shareholders. Benefit corporations exist to compete with other for-profit businesses, but they also have a social agenda. Their mandates extend beyond profit to social and environmental responsibilities. Investors can seek out organizations who will not only make them a profit, but be socially responsible. Recent studies suggest that the growing trend among consumers is to seek out companies who are committed to social responsibility.
Typically, shareholders can force a company to make decisions that maximize profit but neglect the environmental or social impacts. In America, legislation forces those who call themselves benefit corporations to act responsibly. Canada has not yet passed legislation in regards to benefit corporations, however, the Canadian Bar Association has recently called for action on the issue.
B-Lab, a US non-profit, will certify Canadian companies looking to adopt the B-Corps initiative. There are currently 73 registered in Canada and range from small to large businesses across many industries.
For more information:
Canadian B Corps among "Best for the World" - Financial Post, 2012
Why consider a benefit corporation - Forbes, 2014
Typically, shareholders can force a company to make decisions that maximize profit but neglect the environmental or social impacts. In America, legislation forces those who call themselves benefit corporations to act responsibly. Canada has not yet passed legislation in regards to benefit corporations, however, the Canadian Bar Association has recently called for action on the issue.
B-Lab, a US non-profit, will certify Canadian companies looking to adopt the B-Corps initiative. There are currently 73 registered in Canada and range from small to large businesses across many industries.
For more information:
Canadian B Corps among "Best for the World" - Financial Post, 2012
Why consider a benefit corporation - Forbes, 2014
Greenbelting
A growing trend to curb sprawl in cities is to establish a "greenbelt." This is a protected area of wilderness surrounding a city. Greenbelting ensures the area doesn't get destroyed by sprawling developments.
HRM is taking the right steps in developing a greenbelt but much work needs to be done. Halifax is lucky to have beautiful lakes and green spaces just a short commute from is residential areas. A greenbelt would not only protect these areas, but also connect them using trails and streams.
Establishing a greenbelt can be a difficult process. Surrounding land is usually privately owned and developers aren't keen on sacrificing opportunities for more profit. In Canada, Ontario has taken the lead in establishing a greenbelt with great success.
For more information:
Push on to protect Halifax with huge geenbelt - The Chronicle Herald, July 2012.
Greenbelting & Public Open Space Priorities Plan -City of Halifax, 2014
HRM is taking the right steps in developing a greenbelt but much work needs to be done. Halifax is lucky to have beautiful lakes and green spaces just a short commute from is residential areas. A greenbelt would not only protect these areas, but also connect them using trails and streams.
Establishing a greenbelt can be a difficult process. Surrounding land is usually privately owned and developers aren't keen on sacrificing opportunities for more profit. In Canada, Ontario has taken the lead in establishing a greenbelt with great success.
For more information:
Push on to protect Halifax with huge geenbelt - The Chronicle Herald, July 2012.
Greenbelting & Public Open Space Priorities Plan -City of Halifax, 2014
On a Smaller Scale...
Free rent for students at nursing homes
Deventer, Netherlands - Students are offered small, rent-free apartments at the Humanitas retirement home in exchange for 30 hours of service a month with its seniors. Students are asked to go shopping, watch sports, celebrate birthdays and in general offer company to the elders. The main rule the students are asked to follow is to not be a nuisance to the elderly.
According to the International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing, programs such as this exits in countries all around the world. 27 such programs operate in Spain alone.
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According to the International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing, programs such as this exits in countries all around the world. 27 such programs operate in Spain alone.
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The Greenhouse Project
Depression is a major concern among seniors. Seniors can become bored, lonely and isolated when they leave their houses and move into retirement homes. The Greenhouse Project takes a group of six to 10 seniors and houses them in a "Green House." It's a nursing home that looks or feels nothing like a typical nursing home.
Residents of this new home have their own private bathrooms and bedrooms but are encouraged to use the rest of the house. Social interaction is a core part of the project. Residents commonly make meals together. Staff are also thought of as part of the community and get to know residents personally. Visitors are also encouraged to meet and interact with the whole house.
Started in 2000 by a United States doctor, there are 170+ Green Homes in America with dozens more under construction.
For more information:
A nursing home shrinks until it feels like a home - New York Times, 2011
Can we build a better nursing home? - The Washington Post, 2015
The Green House effect: Homes for the elderly to thrive - New York Times, 2014
Residents of this new home have their own private bathrooms and bedrooms but are encouraged to use the rest of the house. Social interaction is a core part of the project. Residents commonly make meals together. Staff are also thought of as part of the community and get to know residents personally. Visitors are also encouraged to meet and interact with the whole house.
Started in 2000 by a United States doctor, there are 170+ Green Homes in America with dozens more under construction.
For more information:
A nursing home shrinks until it feels like a home - New York Times, 2011
Can we build a better nursing home? - The Washington Post, 2015
The Green House effect: Homes for the elderly to thrive - New York Times, 2014
Intergenerational Cohousing
Cohousing, or collective housing, happens when a group of people, with or without developers, come together to build a community. Cohousing is an emerging 21st century trend as people want to connect with their communities. For those who don't want to live in the busy downtown or the lonely suburbs, cohousing is a good priority. Residents build communities together with great focus on green areas and walkability. Seniors and young families live side by side and help each other out whenever possible. Cohousing, more than anythings, fosters a sense of community and sharing that the new generation desires.
Fore more information:
Canadian Cohousing Network
Intergenerational Cohousing - AARP, 2011
Fore more information:
Canadian Cohousing Network
Intergenerational Cohousing - AARP, 2011