Cincinnati's neighborhoods are Cincinnati's future

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.

Read more about this innovative alternative to conventional zoning here. 

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.

Download the full charrette report  here.

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.