Mixed uses
In order to accommodate high density environments different uses need to be mixed. Use types can be mixed both horizontally (side by side) or vertically for example through providing apartments over shops. Most small scale uses can be mixed vertically or horizontally i.e. shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes and professional services. Ground floor uses should be active to encourage the provision of people in the public realm thereby encouraging human scale (Tarbatt, 2012). This has a benefit based on urban design principles.
Density is intrinsically linked to sustainable neighbourhood strategies. In the context of mixed land use density policy relates to housing and other activities. Levels of use intensity vary in relation to the level of public transport accessibility and closeness to prime pedestrian nodes, grading from high density uses near public high streets and bus stops to low intensity.
Buildings should be flexible and adaptable and include other uses on busy corners and thoroughfares. Flexible buildings serve their occupants and the wider community. Buildings also last longer and create an urban environment that is more robust, sustainable and cost effective (Dalziel & Qureshi Cortale, 2012). Buildings should be proportioned in an aesthetically pleasing manner with good proportions. They should have their own character and respect the local character surrounding them (Dalziel & Qureshi Cortale, 2012).
Urban design theories
Example - Osdorp, Amsterdam
Osdorp is a mixed-use neighbourhood on the outskirts of Amsterdam and forms part of an ambitious urban renewal project. A smart organisation of functions and building volumes ensures an engaged and safe neighbourhood. The fruitful collaboration between Mecanoo, the developer Ymere, the school board, a design studio and an artist resulted in a richly detailed building that contains social housing, a school, sports hall, two playgroups, day-care centre and care support centre.
All the social and community functions are organised in the base of the building. The northern part of the building reduces in size from six to three floors where it connects with an adjacent residential block. The complex opens onto a green courtyard. After school hours, the school facilities and playgrounds are available for residents to use. Shared functions such as the sports hall and courtyards are placed centrally in the building and each function has its own entrance. Four floors of apartments are located above the school, sixteen of which are wheelchair-accessible. The single-family dwellings are placed on the quieter north side (Mecanoo, 2014).
