Most of you know that I have a bachelors degree in architecture from The University of Miami. The Dean of the school of architecture is Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, from the firm DPZ and best known for their unbelievable urbanism concepts.
I studied with The Luis and Jorge Trelles as well as Teofilo Victoria and Andres Duany and the concept of "New Urbanism" was drilled into us from day one at UM. I recently found an article by Time.com where Andres Duany was interviewed and explains a bit about New Urbanism.
Andrés Duany is writing the blueprint for a greener human habitat. The Miami-based architect is the co-founder, with his wife Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, of the firm DPZ, and over the years he's become a leader in what's called New Urbanism. It's a philosophy of design that tackles not so much buildings themselves as the entire built environment. Duany and his peers in New Urbanism want to stem suburban sprawl in favor of medium-density towns and neighborhoods where houses, offices, shopping and leisure activities would all be within a walkable space. The automobile - which is responsible for a significant portion of most Americans' individual carbon footprint - would become an option, not a lifeline. "This goes beyond simply having cars that will pollute less, like hybrids," says Duany, a voluble 58-year-old who grew up in Cuba before moving to the U.S. in 1960. "It means not having to drive." (Hear Duany talk about New Urbanism on this week's Greencast.)
How is this "New Urbanism" relevant to Miami Real Estate? SIMPLE. Miami is a HUGE city; the amount it takes you to travel from one end to the other could be in excess of 2 hours in rush hour traffic. That could mean INSANITY for anyone relocating to Miami-Dade County who doesn't know any better. Within Miami, there are plenty of self-sustaining neighborhoods and people throughout the years have chosen to live, work and play in those areas to avoid the whole commute issue.
Of course Rick and I will ask our customers where they plan to work and what schools they are looking for their kids because this is crucial for the commute. In a perfect world of design, when we are talking about the typical American family, both parents would work near their place of residence and they would choose a school for their kids where they live. In Miami it has gotten out of hand. You see a parent working in Downtown Miami and the other in Fort Lauderdale - typically they choose to live in the middle of their commute but this is far from the "new urbanism concept".
The romantic architect in me favors these mixed-use projects and self-sustaining "walkable" communities. But that romantic side is in constant disagreement with the practical side of me that says "that could only happen in a perfect, fictitious world". From our friends in Miami Shores whose husband was just transferred from Fort Lauderdale to El Doral, or the Barry University professor who has to commute to Miami Shores from Miami Beach every day. Where we choose to live to lessen the impact of a commute is an extremely important decision and one that deserves delicate scrutiny.
As for New and Green Urbanism, I will keep encouraging and dreaming and will certainly support it, but know that reality will win in most cases.
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Of course the "New Urbanism" communities are wonderful. Communities where you can ride your bike or walk to the shops or work and children can walk to school are desireable.
Unfortunately, these communities are too small to satisfy the needs of suffient numbers of consumers to be economically viable. The land costs alone drive the prices out of the range of most families.
In my area, we have lovely residential communities in the suburbs where land is less expensive and the shops and amenities are within the community. They're wondefful and beautiful communities. Commuting to job centers if the challenge.
Ines,
As usual, well written and well presented, your knowledge in the subject continues to shine through. T
he concept of Mr. Duany seems to be prevailing today in many of our communities. It actually also reminds of the past beforewe all became so mobile. You know where the shopkeepers lived in an apt. above their businesses. We are seeing so much more of that taking place again right now. A much higher density and mixed use applications, little villages cropping up. We've got more under construction here in our little city right now.
BTW, I cannot imagine taking 2 hrs. to get across town, yikes!
Lenn - it's that "reality" that sets in when we see these concepts. I would love for them to be more tangible but you are right...commuting to job centers is the challenge.
As Realtors who live in Miam Shores, we do play, work and live here, but we couldn't make a reasonable living without our car and without expanding to other areas of Miami.
It's a nice thought.
Lynda - thanks so much. Duany and Plater-Zyberk's New Urbanism concect is extremely romantic and utopian at its best. I love to think of all the things you mention, but is it today's reality? I do think we have some control, but not much as to make the difference they speak of like "not driving".
(the 2 hours is the extreme - people do pick to live in the middle of both partner's commute to lessen the strain)
Ines,
As a follow up to today's reality? I think it's about making progressin that direction, not perfection. There are days that my own daughter says I never leave our little community of Brea, there are also days that I could bike to my office...that is if I could guarantee that I wouldn't need my car for an impromptu showing for example, yet that doesn't happen. In addition we are seeing more folks who now work from home, with technology the daily commute has been reduced for some. Again, I guess it's about making progress in that direction.
Lynda - not only that, but any small change we can make DOES make a difference. If every household makes a small change, the difference would be huge.
I used to drive an average of 17,000 miles per year and my car barely made it to 12,000 in a 2-year period. Progress should be taken into consideration.
These types of communities are wondeful -- I hope we see more and more of them. I wrote a blog a while back on this subject and I am glad to see it is getting play in the press.
Joan - I would love to read your post, do you mind including a link?
BTW- the tendency here in Miami is for individual communities to begin studying their urban core and establishing a plan. Tons of communities like Miami Shores, Upper-East Side, Miami Springs and others have held Charrettes involving the community to improve the urbanism of each. From a downtown area to encourage local business to densities and zoning laws. Politics usually get in the way, but it's a move in the right direction.
Ines WOW, you can drive through two states around here in two hours :)
What you describe would be ideal, and if we all worked toward that, who knows someday it might be a reality.
Hi George! 2 states? wow! I think it is definitely possible and some instances very difficult - but we should have it as a goal without a doubt.
Merry Christmas!
2 hours to get across town...OMG! I can't imagine that...I can travel my whole state south to north in about 3.5 hours...east to west about 2.5 - 3 hours. Wow...
Merry Christmas Ines!
Ines, the interest in new urbanism in the past few years has been encouraging. It makes sense. Although I am way out west we fight urban sprawl out here too.
Moni - that's during "rush hour" but still makes a huge impact! Imagine commuting 4 hours per day?? OUCH!! Merry Christmas!
Maggie - think of driving from Homestead to Aventura - I cannot even begin to imagine anyone doing that. Urban Sprawl is a huge issue in big cities like Miami and we fight to keep our jobs close by - if we cannot help that, at least we can try to keep everything else local (shopping, eating out and encouraging local businesses).
Hi Ines - TWO hours?!?!?!? Yikes! I can travel Maine, NH, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, or Maine, NH, Vermont, NY in that amount of time from where I live!
I do like those types of communities - I like the neighborly feel, and the 'old-timey' feeling that some of them are able to bring back.
Ann
Hello Ann Darling! I know.....pretty brutal. There is NO way you could live in Miami without a car and unfortunately, public transportation does not have a good reputation either.
Miami Shores fits the template of New Urbanism and I guess it is one of the reasons I am so attracted to it. The only bad thing is that in these smaller suburbian communities you also find small suburbian ideals that hold progress back. The whole Charrette participation is pretty incredible though......to make those plans a reality is another challenge all together.
Merry Christmas my friend!
Miami sure has changed since I was there last.... I don't think I would even recognize it anymore. Merry Christmas Rick & Ines
Ines, Many people don't realize how big Miami really is. You are right about the two hours. When I lived in Miami my office to my house was only 11 miles and during rush hour it would take me over an hour to get to work.
Ines, I would love to not have to drive nearly as often, it sounds like a wonderful concept and was very interesting to read about. Happy Holiday to you and Rick and a wonderful year filled with joy and many blessings!
Ines, I am trying to learn more and do more about going green and our environment. But, I really dropped by to say Thank You so very very much for all of your help and support. Your talent and creativity are an inspiration to all of us. Merry Christmas!
Katrina - you better believe things have changed (ironically thanks to urban sprawl) - Merry Christmas to you as well!
Matt - there are times that it can take you over 3 hours depending on accidents and the road. But you definitely get the idea. Hope you had a good one!
Carole - It's a great concept specially for new communities like the one they did at Seaside, Florida - you are very sweet - the best of the best to you!
Diane - we all have a lot to learn about going green and there's a lot of work to be done. It's my pleasure to help and you know you can count on me for anything. Thanks for your kindness.
Ines - Portland, Oregon is so far ahead of the rest of us when it comes to being Green & Sustainability. Its a smaller town than where you and I live, however, they have made their city bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Everyone recycles, you can even turn in washing machines and other big items and get paid for it.
In my 5th year at Maryland I was in grad school, enrolled in Urban Studies. I didn't complete my degree b/c of my being drafted to Chiefs, yet I regret not finishing. We all need to step up to the plate and do something to assist in this arena.
Merry Christmas my friend!! Hope you and Rick and the boys have been having a fabulous day today!!
Urban Sprawl used to be a serious problem here, but they got it under control, many years ago. The Daytona area is much more compact, but I still live as close as possible, to everything I need.
Ines - Great topic - we actually live in the most densely populated county in Florida and are working on many of these same ideas and issues here too. Publix is starting to incorportate affordable housing above stores and old industrial areas are being converted to mixed use walkable areas that create a "destination"- we' attended a presentation on this with county leaders last month and it was facinating. Thanks for sharing - you obviously have a much bigger background in the how to do it - it's just exciting to see people planning to make form meet function - our efforts are definitely focused on creating a "sense of place" - keep us posted.
P.S. Merry Christmas
Aziz - Urban Studies?? see how we learn more about each other each day! I guess I would have done the same if the Chiefs would have drafted me thought, : ) You are right....there are a lot of cities out there that are making it happen. It's the major cities that are more difficult because of the existing urban sprawl and we cannot just pack up and leave these cities........we need to do what we can.
Ann- THANK YOU!!! I really can't complain, I had an awesome one and so many things to be grateful for, including my AR friends.
Lisa- Daytona is a fun city and I agree about the compact - I think in big cities we do live close to what we need and support local businesses - that's what it is all about!
Cyndee- "sense of place" is where it begins, efforts from local municipalities and big dogs like Publix is a major step. I will certainly keep you posted.
HI Ines,good stuff, as always. If silly billy could chime in, I would say that until the mindset of the people changes, there will always be an issue in cities like MIA. It's necessary to let go of that individualistic thinking of each person needing their own car. The gov won't build (or expand) the infrastructure of public transportation because the people are likely not to use it and the guys up top making the cash on oil don't want that to happen either. As you know, we traveled throughout Spain, France and Italy on trains and buses at great prices and super comfortable, because many people use it.Madrid (closer to the North end) to South Spain was about 4 hours on the bullet train. It was hella-cool. (I even use the Tri-rail here when we can coordinate with others to pick me up.)
You do your client's a great service by anticipating their future needs. Miami is really gridlocked.. call me backstreet willy :) but hey, it isn't L.A. :)
ps. We have a great example of New Urbanism in Palm Beach.. it's Cityplace. The downtown area revitalization began with this. You have condos, apartments, restaurants, shopping (big and small retail), entertainment, outdoor hangout areas, Publix, etc within walking distance. The Hospital is a little further, but within reach. (as long as you're not shot in the leg). :)
Nicky Picky - you are right.....we call ourselves "developed" and then go to Europe and their pedestrian towns blow your mind away! Public transportation is a big issue, and now with the whole talk about the tram down Biscayne Boulevard and then it goes back to politics......I get dizzy thinking about the roadblocks.
Cityplace has the concept without a doubt and there are a lot more communities like it around - good examples.
I agree on the dizzy part.. it's like a catch-22 with factors like; politics, cash (economics), and ROI to build the infrastructure (which is dictated be factors like cost to ride, variety places it takes you and the willingness of people to participate). My 1st comment isn't totally accurate, because NY has the infrastructure and people USE it. I'm not sure if the space (or lack of) factor in another factor in NY. (monthly parkin costs in the city are outrageous). Miami didn't plan that far ahead.
Europe map here, read legend at the bottom. infrastructure and cost to ride.. so we will never be like this, but still, a good model, imho.
i used to ride the metro rail from Hialeah to SW (dadeland mall), and I more than scared on a number of occasions when it stops in Overtown and Liberty city stations. uuugh! lacking security. this was way back thought.. like mid-late 80's i think.
now you got me thinking.. your posts are too heavy, Ines. my head hurts thinking this early. what time is it? 12:30pm.. yikes!
Thinking is good Slick Nick - when I used to attend the university of Miami, there was a metro-rail station right at the campus so I decided to take the rail to school. The only way to catch the MR was to park in overtown (leaving my car there to get burglarized)....not too practical is it!
To think that I have taken my kids on that metro-rail ride so they can "experience it" and nothing else. I also tried the public bus system a couple of times and the buses are never on time - people have to allocate a couple of hours if they have to change buses, just in case.
We could write an article on Miami's public transportation. BTW - Coral Gables has a trolley system that is extremely effective for those that live and work there. Different communities are establishing a local transportation system to avoid driving - a move in the right direction. Off to eat Peruvian food with my parents!
That is an excellent point!. how come you always come up with the great ones?! :) Like Coral Gables, start at a smaller 'city' level. jean-i-us!! Ines for president!!!
hhmmm, ceviche!
Nicky Mississippi - Ceviche is EXACTLY what I had.....it was delicious!
I just dropped by to wish you both a very Happy New Year and to thank you again for all of your support and inspiration!
Diane - you are very welcome and the feeling is mutual. Happy New Year to you as well.
Hi Ines -- I was reading through some past blogs (wierd that 12/31 seems like the past on AR) and I am a diehard fan of walkable communities. Know that someone up north shares the dream!
Hi Lori - I am so glad to hear a lot of people share the dream. Just yesterday I was talking to a friend of my son's about walkable communities in Europe and how small vehicles are in general.
Hey Ines - I thought this post sounded familiar, and I had my comment all composed in my head, and then came upon the comment I left when I first read this. Funny thing is, the one in my head I just composed almost mirrors the one I wrote back when I first read this!! And it's still true, too!
Ann
That's funny Ann! at least you know you are consistent!