Different Types of Mixed-Use Development

A mixed-use building is a pedestrian-friendly development. This type of structure blends in two or more either residential, cultural, commercial, or industrial uses. Mixed-use development is the type of planning strategy that grows a community. It fosters development that serves public health, the environment, and the economy.

Although the term mixed-use has become quite popular, it can be confusing to some. It isn’t a multi-story building that has a commercial space on the ground floor and residential space on the upper floor. It goes way beyond that.

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) puts mixed-use developments as structures that own the following characteristics;

• Providing three or more revenue-generating uses. Like offices, recreation spaces, retail spaces, residential spaces, etc.
• Should create a walkable community that has a free-flowing pedestrian connection.
• Promotes compatibility of land uses, density and integration.

The variety it provides enables people to work, play, shop, and live in the same place. Thus, attracting people from other nearby or distant neighborhoods. A mixed-use building should have many functions available in the same place. You can always contact our world-class experts at S3DA design firm for more advice on mixed-use development.

Mixed-use hotels are a very popular form of mixed-use development. Such buildings can contain a hotel mixed with special stores, gyms, and restaurants among others. Such places are often near airports, hospitals, tourist attractions, transportation centers, and monuments. They always have a variety of amenities to help them meet the needs of their diverse customers or visitors.

Type of Mixed-use Development

When it comes to Mixed-use development, there are two common types. These types are always considered by any top design or construction firm when planning a development strategy. This is to enable them to decide what type of mixed-use development will suit the community of choice.

Both types of mixed-use development have their specific roles to play and their various pros and cons of course. This is more often the case when it comes down to which works best in the community they’re to serve.

• Horizontal Mixed-use Development:

The horizontal mixed-use development is the type that refers to each building having its various designated use. More often a single use, but within a complex. In some cases, it can be a development with buildings where each is assigned to a specific use. This complex can contain a residential building, retail building, office building, and entertainment or leisure building.

There can also be sports facilities, parks, and green spaces inside the complex. This type of mixed-use development will contain some public spaces that are open to all and some private spaces as well.

This is usually the preferred choice for communities or cities with some land space to spare. Also, those with the ability to create top-notch, usable public spaces around the building.

• Vertical Mixed-use Development:

The vertical type of mixed-use development has many uses in one. Each floor in the vertical mixed-use development has different purposes and different uses. You can have restaurants and shops on the ground floor, and office spaces added to the ground floor or the first floor. Residential spaces usually take up the top floor area.

A vertical mixed-use developments generally include a public space. This is a place where all occupants of the building can come together for some cooperation or connection. A means of enhancing social interaction. A few of them focus on making those spaces on the lower floors with the private spaces on the higher floors.

This type of positioning brings life into the area and encourages more development of some public spaces. This type of mixed-use development is often found in cities where land is in short supply and at a premium.

Final Thoughts:

Both types of mixed-use developments recognize the need to combine many spaces within the same area. This is all thanks to the benefit mixed-use buildings bring both the occupants, the community, and the developers. Both types encourage more social interaction, collaboration, connection, and relationships.

Part of the work is to re-emphasize the centrality and importance of community to urban development. They are vital in fighting against social isolation and generating a social bonds.

Mixed-use developments offer a lot of value to people in urban areas both now and in the future. How and why is very important. The benefits a good mixed-use building offers are quite high and crucial.

We all want good mixed-use development design and world-class mixed-use building construction. If that is your taste, then the S3DA design firm is perfect for you. Contact us and let’s help you with trending high-quality designs.