urban_design

USING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE
URBAN CONDITIONS.

In an attempt to make community life comfortable, safe, and profitable for local residents, city planners devise master plans that establish guidelines for development. To create these, planners make predictions about future events, such as changes in population and industries. Unfortunately, those predictions aren’t always accurate. In situations where master plans have been unable to keep pace with growth, communities have become overcrowded and rundown. To remedy the situation, communities require urban rehabilitation.


Urban rehabilitation (also referred to as “urban design”) typically requires the coordination of multiple property owners, regulatory agencies, tenants, and engineering disciplines. Coordination can be challenging because responsibilities frequently overlap, causing confusion, conflicts, and delays. Additionally, developing solutions for urban improvement can be challenging in itself. Existing conditions don’t always mesh with new standards. For example, a new standard may require that a roadway be 50 feet wide, however, a space of only 40 feet exists between buildings. Because situations like this abound, it is essential that your design team possess ingenuity and perseverance.


The staff at Lutjen has worked on numerous urban design projects, and is experienced at collaborating with multiple entities to keep your project moving forward. Our expert engineers have developed creative solutions for every aspect of urban rehabilitation, including storm water management, transportation engineering, pedestrian access, and utility relocation. By taking a holistic approach to your project (rather than focusing on a single aspect), Lutjen’s multidisciplinary team is able to develop more efficient solutions. In the event that existing conditions are incompatible with current codes (as with the roadway example above), Lutjen works with city officials to develop alternative solutions and obtain variances in order to realize your vision.


For your unique and challenging situations, Lutjen can create solutions that make it all work.


Urban design services:

  • As-built surveys for renovations and conversions.
  • Conversion plats.