What is mixed-use development?

Engineering firms can’t seem to agree on a single definition of “mixed-use development” because it can take on different forms depending on the location. In general, these communities or developments use the same buildings and/or facilities for more than one purpose. This means that instead of being solely an apartment building, the building may also feature commercial businesses and be located with walkways to a public park. These developments feature some combination of commercial, office, industrial, institutional, residential, and/or other uses all in the same development.

Why is there so much interest in mixed-use development?

Projects that fall under this discipline can be as small as a single store or as large as a shopping center. Retail engineers may also design entire chains of stores to ensure architectural consistency across the brand. Companies try to create and maintain this consistency so that customers recognize the stores wherever they are located and have the same positive shopping experience at each of them.

Retail engineering involves many services from the beginning of a project through its completion, as maintenance is an ongoing concern for commercial properties. Some of the services that comprise this discipline include:

Land is scarce and extremely expensive in urban areas

Mixed-use developments make the most efficient use of a single property. The ability to get revenue from sources other than rent allows property owners to offer these properties at more affordable rates.

People are tired of commuting and spending time and money on automobiles

Mixed-use developments are focused on the pedestrian and are designed so that people can complete much of their daily routine without ever getting into a car.

Mixed-use developments create a sense of community in urban or densely populated areas where that sense was lacking before

Being able to live, work, and play in a single area gives people a greater sense of ownership even if they are only renting, and it allows them to get to know their neighbors in a tangible way.

Challenges to mixed-use developments:

Although mixed-use developments are an innovative idea, there are many challenges to this type of project. They require the cooperation of many parties, including government officials, developers, architects, and lenders, who may or may not have the same interests in mind.
For example, without the proper infrastructure, people in these developments may still need to have cars. If government officials aren’t willing to dedicate public transportation funds to support these projects, the projects may fail because they are unable to meet one of their primary objectives.
Although mixed-use developments face many challenges, there is no question that this type of development is here to stay. At GROUPE, our team has worked on numerous projects of this nature to develop the skills and experience necessary for the future.