Connectivity is key to economic productivity and to social inclusiveness. The way in which people and goods move around urban areas determines their structure, how they function and influence their productivity. However, connectivity is unevenly distributed across cities and the rise of the car in the second part of the 20th century has drawn jobs, leisure and shopping areas away from traditional centres to locations that can easily be accessed by motorized vehicles.
Large-scale roads for high speed traffic is damaging for green mobility, health, social inclusion, and local economy. Hence, the integrated neighborhood approach calls for replacing these large-scale roads with a mesh of walkable streets that form a connected street pattern and provide opportunities for people to meet each other.
Sustainable urban design aims to develop a vibrant economy with a balanced mix of uses. Locating a set of uses in a neighbourhood can promote sustainability by encouraging walking to stores and facilities, providing a critical mass of customers to local businesses and by creating opportunities for people to work locally. In addition, planning for mixed-use reduces travel distances, contributes to the shared use of buildings and parking spaces and supports the affordability of local communities.
Furthermore, the principles of circular economy should be incorporated into an integrated planning approach and into all phases of a building’s cycle. In an ideal circular construction chain, the buildings are designed in such a way that materials will have the longest possible lifespan through reuse or repurposing. The benefits of circular economy in the construction chain include the need for new construction, improving urban land use, reducing construction and operating costs, and increasing resource efficiency, while strengthening the local economy.
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strategic economic plan
Economic development is a key objective for any neighbourhood project. Economic development plans provide a path that communities can follow to overcome difficult situations, which can be created in five steps.
community capacity
Community capacity aims at addressing social and economic issues experienced by the most disadvantaged for which job creation and innovation are two serious objectives catalysing the role of communities.
Mixed-use development
Not only has the rise of the car has segregated urban activities, but has also increased the level of pollution while representing a significant part of modest household expenses. Mixed-used development calls for integrated communities by bringing facilities at a walking distance from the people.
Sustainable lifestyle
Our lifestyles have a profound impact on the planet affecting not only the way neighbourhoods are built but also the way in which finite natural resources are used, which urges the need to encourage the adoption of sustainable lifestyles and consumption in building sustainable neighbourhoods.
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