We have made significant progress in the last three months developing a powerful new tool for preserving character and revitalizing Cincinnati's neighborhoods.
I’ve worked since
2008 with neighborhoods around the city to bring a form-based code to Cincinnati as part of my Great Neighborhoods
Initiative. Cincinnati is now in the process of
developing a form-based code so that any neighborhood that chooses t0 (adoption
is completely voluntary) can implement this new approach to building
community character and spurring the kind of development the neighborhood wants.
By providing a
community character-based approach to zoning, form-based code helps
neighborhoods ensure that new development has a look and feel that is
consistent with traditional neighborhood patterns.
In April, more than 700 Cincinnatians rolled up their
sleeves to participate in the five-day charrette – a citywide urban design
workshop – to begin developing a form-based code for Cincinnati. Participants met with
the professional team that is writing and illustrating Cincinnati's form-based
code. The consultant team includes planners, architects, illustrators,
transportation engineers, economists and retail consultants.
Throughout the week, participants learned about obstacles to
walkable, mixed-use development that are embedded in the city’s current zoning
code and street standards; how Cincinnati still has the ‘good bones’ that
neighborhoods can build on using the right tools, including form-based code;
and why demographic trends give Cincinnati the opportunity to enhance our
competitive advantage as a city.
I’m excited to share with you the summary report from the
charrette, Paradigm shift back to urbanism: Complete Neighborhoods for Cincinnati.
Here’s an excerpt that summarizes the challenges and opportunities
facing our neighborhoods.
Cincinnati’s neighborhoods are at a
tipping point. The city has lost 40 percent of its population since 1950,
leaving suburban densities in the city’s formerly urban neighborhoods. Many
residential buildings and lots sit vacant or are not being maintained, with
over 10,000 historically contributing units in need of renovation. Neighborhood
main streets have withered due to lack of people, competition from nearby big
box stores, and bad thoroughfare design that speeds cars and potential
customers through these neighborhoods, rather than to them.
But Cincinnati has a tremendous
opportunity. In these urban neighborhoods they already have what other cities
want and are trying to build: a variety of urban housing types; a network of
neighborhood main streets ready to be revitalized; a rich, diverse, and
well-build collection of historic architecture; and easily accessible open
space networks created by topography that weaves throughout these
neighborhoods.
One of the primary reasons for cities
like Cincinnati to be optimistic has to do with the convergence of the two
biggest population groups ― the Millenials (Gen Y) and the boomers ― that are
both creating a strong and growing demand for living in walkable urban places.
What the Millenials want, the boomers need: small, simple spaces for living,
community/people/density, access to transit, and proximity to services and
amenities (i.e., main streets and downtowns). The Queen City is positioning
itself to capture this demand and to put a strategy in place that makes these
neighborhoods Complete Places with everything urban neighborhoods have to offer.
The report makes it clear: to revitalize the city, we must revive
our neighborhoods. And changing
demographics offer a unique opportunity for our urban neighborhoods that can’t
be easily replicated in the suburbs – namely, their historic neighborhood
character and identity, at pricing that’s attainable both for Millenials and
seniors looking to relocate near services. Restoring walkability and transit to
our neighborhood business corridors will help attract the Millenials and serve
the needs of our aging population.
Next steps
The
citywide charrette produced a template that will provide the basis for a
form-based code specific to a neighborhood that chooses to adopt one.
The
new code will describe, in words and clearly drawn graphics, what form and
scale of development is desired and permissible. The code will include building
form standards (building placement, frontage, etc.) and public space standards
(street thoroughfare standards, civic space standards, etc.), and will also
address appropriate uses.
Four Cincinnati neighborhoods — College Hill,
Madisonville, Walnut Hills and Westwood —will host a neighborhood charrette this fall to take the code
developed from the citywide charrette and tailor and apply it to their
neighborhood business corridors and adjacent residential areas.
The neighborhood charrette will take place from
Monday, October 29 through Thursday, November 1 at Two Centennial Plaza, 805
Central Ave. (behind City Hall), Cincinnati, OH 45202.
