Cities & Urban Design

“Neighborhoods of choice” could offer a range of living standards and more equitable 20-minute communities.

To create a more balanced and just city, cities must offer choices for people of all ages, races, and income levels. This idea of “neighborhoods of choice” promotes economic attainment regardless of socioeconomic status, with a range of options for residents to thrive through different life stages, such as inclusionary housing.

Transforming distressed industrial assets into useful infrastructure can revitalize neighborhoods.

From abandoned rail lines to coal-fired power plants, outdated industrial infrastructure is increasingly being decommissioned and converted into new uses to jump-start development and unlock value in stalled markets or distressed neighborhoods. These interventions can increase land values, spur new job growth, and drive economic development.

New partnership models can stitch communities together with libraries, health clinics, and other social infrastructure.

The decentralization of institutions is opening the door for more nontraditional public-private partnerships with community-facing service providers. This allows libraries or health clinics to fill the gaps in social infrastructure by becoming more accessible and more connected within a broader network, so people can access services closer to where they live.

The “affinity district” is a design idea that could bring people together and promote more cohesive communities.

As cities struggle to get workers back, affinity districts can bring together like-minded individuals who, through their daily behavioral collisions, promote innovative thinking. Affinity districts promote a sense of community around shared activities, so maker spaces, community forums, mobility hubs, and educational offerings are key features to have on-site.