The construction of mixed-use buildings keeps increasing daily with its ever-growing need. Mixed-use development seems to be transforming both suburban and urban areas. Which also adds to its increasing popularity. Across the U.S alone, it has a high surging rate as you can find a number in most cities.
Regardless, whatever has an advantage would for sure, have its disadvantages and challenges. No matter how beautiful the mixed-use development architecture might be, it still has its challenges. Despite its popularity and growing need, it can’t be bet upon 100% at all times to be a sure guarantee. Even community organizations, local authorities, developers, and residents tend to agree.
Before a mixed-use development project becomes a reality from the blueprint stage, you need a careful survey. Stakeholders ensure to get the advantages and disadvantages before kicking off the project. This means that even the best mixed-use development architecture has its challenges.
Here are some of the mixed-use development challenges;
Security Concerns:
Whenever there are many users in a building, there is the certainty of restrictions to places. There are some places you want a specific group to have access to. While there are some places they have restricted access to as well. For instance, shoppers have no business going to residential areas.
Finding a way to solve such issues and separate functions can be challenging. You would need to have it addressed in the design plan. This would ensure that each space comes with its proper restrictions. An effort to keep every occupant feeling secure.
Trash and Foul Smell:
Different occupants with different activities mean they would have completely different waste. If you have a restaurant for instance in your mixed-use building, then it is on a whole different level. Obnoxious smells and garbage waste they produce can be uncomfortable sometimes. That is also the case with some retailers as well.
The stench of the waste makes the environment less comfortable for other occupants. Especially those in the residential areas. Having a dumpster at the back of the building can help. Out of sight is out of mind and the same can apply to the trash.
Open air can make the smell dissipate fast. Although in a tighter urban setting, these smells can go into someone else’s living space. For instance, during the summer months. Those smells can stay around for longer.
Parking Spaces:
Issues brought up by parking spaces are always a constant issue in mixed-use development. The hope of reducing the near-total dependence on automobiles with mixed-use buildings hasn’t been well embraced. Not everyone tends to embrace the idea. Plus, your visitors especially the commercial occupants, do need to park somewhere.
In mixed-use development architecture, addressing the parking issue is important. There should be careful planning to accommodate the various users. When each parking space will become active and the total number of parking spaces as well.
Fitting into the existing environment:
Mixed-use development often leans towards large-scale buildings. The bigger the building, the more occupancy, and the more real estate revenue and profit. Regardless, it is also important that your building fits into its environment. As a developer, you would want to take note of the architectures in that environment and their scale.
You don’t want to raise a mixed-use building of 12 stories in a neighborhood best known for smaller buildings.
Noise:
Isolating noise between spaces is important. Everyone wants their privacy and also doesn’t want the affairs of other occupants disturbing theirs. Some residents understand they live in a busy city. Which means it should be a lot noisier than the regular suburban areas. But there are some sounds they would find rather disturbing.
Keeping the noise isolated between each space is vital. Especially if you have a retail area or a noisy restaurant in your building. In situations like this, it is very important to ease the noise transfer between all areas.
Conclusion:
Mixed-use development does come with its challenges. Even despite its advantages and real estate benefits. These are issues you will face when embarking on a mixed-use building project. Each project still has its unique nature. No matter the project, the challenges can become a point of unique opportunities.
These can be possible with careful consideration and with proper planning. Especially when the mixed-use development architecture is being drawn up, adjustments are possible. These adjustments and careful planning will ensure that they no longer become problems.
