Mixed Land Use criteria

7/30/2019 Mixed Land Use criteria

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Design Principle Mixed Land Use

www.healthyplaces.org.au

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Last updated 4 June 2009

This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Mixed Land Use

DefinitionMixed land use enables a range of land uses including residential, commercial, andindustrial to be co-located in an integrated way that supports sustainable forms oftransport such as public transport, walking and cycling, and increases neighbourhoodamenity. Mixed land use developments can enhance the economic vitality andperceived security of an area by increasing the number of people on the street and inpublic spaces (Smart Growth, no date).

Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, New ZealandSource: TPG Town Planning and Urban Design


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OverviewMixed land use promotes active transport between different activities by locating originsand destinations close to each other. This reduces travel distances and enables linkedtrips where one trip is used to undertake many activities. The range of activities in eachmixed use development also encourages social interaction as people fulfil more of theirneeds in their local area.

A mixed use neighbourhood should include a diverse mix of uses such as variousdwelling types, home businesses, child care centres, schools, medical centres andpublic open space that promote walking or cycle trips within the neighbourhood.

Ideal neighbourhoods include a range of employment, education, recreation and retailopportunities and regional transport connections within comfortable walking or cyclingdistances of a dense population base. Without this high population base in a denselycompacted area, many of the preferred uses will not survive financially. They also

incorporate a mix of housing types and affordability; a mix of civic, institutional andcommercial facilities; and a mix of public spaces to cater for a range of users (childrenthrough to older adults) with a diversity of needs (Bowe, 2004).

These principles for mixed use development work best in large centres but can equallyenhance local centres. Any additional population and employment density in a centre willincrease the economic activity and financial viability of the centre. The availability ofpublic transport, cycling and walking facilities is important to facilitate access to andwithin the centre but over time less car parking is required as people come to appreciatethe amenity of walking to and through the centre.

A larger version of mixed use development is commonly called Transit Oriented

Development (TOD), particularly where development is centred around major transportnodes such as train stations. TOD makes better use of transport infrastructure to backfill high capacity transport corridors and support regional public transport links. TODleads to a more efficient and equitable cities by reducing travel costs for all residents.

Various good examples of mixed use development can be found in Kreuzberg (Berlin),Fitzroy (Melbourne), Subiaco (Perth) and Pyrmont (Sydney).


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Source: TPG Town Planning and Urban Design


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Why?Research evidence shows that mixed land use (i.e. the presence of multipledestinations) is a key factor influencing neighbourhood walkability, travel costs and fueluse (Newman and Kenworthy, 1998). In low density neighbourhoods with a few localdestinations, fewer people walk and more people drive (Frank, 2004; Wen, 2006). Froma health perspective, even a slight increase in physical activity and the prevention ofweight gain can lead to significant community benefits. Low density neighbourhoodsresult in activities being spread out resulting in car dependence and geographic inequity(including stratification of the population) as wealthier people move to locations thatminimise their travel.

EncourageSuccessful mixed use areas can be achieved through:1

locating development within easy walking distance (400 metres) of high qualitypublic transport corridors or other public transport operating at a frequency of

four or more services per hour in the off-peak providing a range of development types that allow for a mix of day and night time

activities supported by dense residential activity that aids with naturalsurveillance and provides a base load of activity

ensuring that surrounding transport networks and adjoining development isintegrated with the new development

providing high amenity open space and recreation areas especially for children,and

ensuring that lighting, street furniture, signage, footpath treatment and safe roadcrossings provide a safe and convivial urban realm for all users.

Rule of thumbA mix of land uses, including residential, and access to the shops and services requiredfor daily living that is well integrated with public transport, designed to maximisesurveillance and to be safe from traffic will support the use of active forms of transport. Awider range of regional transport services will be supported as density of activityincreases.

1The first four dot points have been adapted from the NSW Premiers Council for Active Living: Designing

Places for Active Living.


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Mixed use development - Subiaco, PerthSource: Planning Institute of Australia

Avoid

Development that is not integrated with public transport networks and land useactivities required to meet daily needs (bakery, supermarket, gymnasium,

newsagent). Development that is more than 400 metres (a five minute walk) from any dwelling

to an area of appropriate public open space that meets the populations needs(particularly children) in terms of scale and activities.

Organising the design and funding of development without reference to efficientmovement networks.

Single use developments that rely on people travelling long distances for dailyactivities (such as office parks that create a third lunch time peak).


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REFERENCES

Bowe, C. The experts agree the mark of a great street has little to do with propertyprices. Article in the Adelaide Review, accessed 9 February 2009:http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/archives/2004_11_26/feature_story4.shtml

Giles-Corti, B., King, A. C., 2009, Creating active environments across the life course:"thinking outside the square". British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(2), 109-13.

Foster, S., Giles-Corti, B, 2008. The built environment, neighborhood crime andconstrained physical activity: an exploration of inconsistent findings. PreventiveMedicine, 47(3), 241-51.

Frank, L. D., Andresen, M. A., and Schmid, T. L., 2004, Obesity relationships withcommunity design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. American Journal ofPreventive Medicine, 2004, 27(2), 87-96.

NSW Premiers Council for Active Living Designing Places for Active Living, accessed9 February 2009:http://www.pcal.nsw.gov.au/case_studies/pcal_category_cities,_towns_and_neighbourhoods.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2008, Health Data,accessed 9 February 2009:http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/46/38/38979536.pdf .

Smart Growth Online: Principles of Smart Growth Mixed Land Use,accessed 23 April2009: http://www.smartgrowth.org/about/principles/principles.asp?prin=1&res=1280.

Sugiyama, T., Salmon, J., Dunstan, D. W., Bauman, A. E. and Owen, N., 2007,Neighborhood walkability and TV viewing time among Australian adults. AmericanJournal of Preventive Medicine, 2007, 33(6), 444-9.

Wen, L. M., Orr, N., Millett, C. and Rissel, C, 2006. Driving to work and overweight andobesity: findings from the 2003 New South Wales Health Survey, Australia. InternationalJournal of Obesity, London, 2006, 30(5), 782-6.

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Mixed Land Use criteria