Demographics are driving new market preferences for housing diversity. Does the existing housing stock provide market options for both buyers and renters that fit their lifestyle? The strategic importance of housing affordability is being redefined as the costs of rent/mortgage, transportation and utilities get factored into the equation.  Central Ohio certainly enjoyed a boom in housing over the last several years and fortunately, compared to some other places, kept the costs within reason.  Downtown housing got off to a strong start but has been stifled by a collapsed real estate and financial market.  How do we continue the housing trend of full spectrum housing that goes “up” more than “out”?

Mark Daniels, President at M + A Architects and ULI Columbus Advisory Board Memeber, answers the key questions for Full Spectrum Housing in Columbus.

Key Questions:

1) The Perfect Fit: Average home size has doubled since the 1970s, but is now edging downward. How can superior value be delivered in a smaller footprint?

Trends toward sustainability, flexibility in home design, and better designed communities have all impacted smaller footprints in today’s homes. Preferences have changed from large homes utilizing many rooms, to quality functional spaces with flexible open plans and co-organized features. Plan diversity, connectivity to the outdoors, and variety in building amenities have all become more important in selecting a new home today.  More dense and vertical design has also been a key in the planning of these homes, partially due to a greater awareness of sustainability.  All of these factors allow for ‘smaller living’ as time is spent in better designed spaces, with tendencies for more communal living.

2) Design Diversity: What is the new unit mix to achieve full spectrum outcomes? What amenities will consumers demand?

Movement towards well designed communities focusing on the creation of neighborhoods; and understanding the socioeconomic mix of homeowners within these neighborhoods. Homes for families, young professionals, work force housing, and aging baby boomers within a neighborhood will give it diversity and longevity as a community. Having the appropriate amenities as part of each community has been a desire in the recent years, such as living in a mixed-use neighborhood with service retail and restaurants within walking distance. Being close to mass transit, community rooms, community gardens and outdoor gathering spaces are also important features consumers are demanding.

3) Location: How is the significance of housing location facilitating better access to jobs, schools, recreational spaces, and shopping?

There are new trends in the US housing markets that will get more prominent as the recession ends.  These trends will dramatically affect where people want to live and the lifestyle they want to have, as the recession has reshaped how Americans think about their living experience. Sustainability and location efficiency will be a greater priority in the selection of a home in the upcoming decade. Housing near employment, transportation centers, schools and shopping will be a significant factor in where people choose to live. Location, as it pertains to mixed-use and distinctive outdoor public spaces has led to the surge in housing growth in urban areas, including urbanized districts.

4) Public Sector: What role can incentives and local regulations play to encourage full‐spectrum housing?

Full spectrum housing provides for sustainable development, creates housing for everyone in the workforce, supports diversity and equality, and provides a place for generations to live and grow together. The public sector can dramatically encourage full spectrum housing by supporting and assistance in subsidizing some key areas. The public governing bodies can intervene to soften or adapt their standards to support such development, such as; adapting new zoning language that would encourage this type of development,  allowing for mixed-uses, fast-tracking approval permits for urban, sustainable, and affordable housing developments, and adjusting school boundaries to respond to and support the needs of urbanized neighborhoods. Funding is the other avenue; thus public private partnerships are critical to these future developments vitality.  Be it for public improvements such as utilities and access to public

5) How do we create the greatest urban schools in the nation? competition? additional resources? Smaller footprint?

Nothing singular, such as the physical footprint, the district’s competitiveness, or the resources available act alone as solutions to the vitality of a community and its schools. Having a great urban school within a community can have a major impact on the success of that community; and vice-versa. It can contribute to a sense of personal and community identity, be inclusive, and provide for a secure and enriching learning experience. The design of that school’s campus should fit within the fabric of the neighborhood, be easily accessible by car or foot, and provide a place for neighbors to gather and children to play. The school’s educational programs and resources should consist of a varied curriculum, suitable for the diverse nature of the community it is in.  And as communities evolve, so should the school to respond to that change – they need to be proactively flexible in both scale and curriculum, working with the community that surrounds it.