The studio aimed at deriving a spatial plan and urban design-oriented solution for the issues faced by the people of Forest Park, IL a western suburb of Chicago. Based on the background study, demographic analysis and community outreach the team devised the following approach -
“Focusing on three key areas of efficiency, inclusivity, and
sustainability the intervention - “Green Mutualism” is centered
on the connectivity of people with each other and their surroundings
for a site feasible to implement both green- and mobility-related
tactical strategies believed to bridge the gaps presented in the community.
The studio aimed at deriving a spatial plan and urban design-oriented solution for the issues faced by the people of Forest Park, IL a western suburb of Chicago. Based on the background study, demographic analysis and community outreach the team devised the following approach -
“Focusing on three key areas of efficiency, inclusivity, and
sustainability the intervention - “Green Mutualism” is centered
on the connectivity of people with each other and their surroundings
for a site feasible to implement both green- and mobility-related
tactical strategies believed to bridge the gaps presented in the community.
The studio aimed at deriving a spatial plan and urban design-oriented solution for the issues faced by the people of Forest Park, IL a western suburb of Chicago. Based on the background study, demographic analysis and community outreach the team devised the following approach -
“Focusing on three key areas of efficiency, inclusivity, and
sustainability the intervention - “Green Mutualism” is centered
on the connectivity of people with each other and their surroundings
for a site feasible to implement both green- and mobility-related
tactical strategies believed to bridge the gaps presented in the community.
Land Use Regulation
Excerpt from Social Implications of zoning approach
Pertaining to the zoning changes the law stated that the legal use of all existing buildings in the area is allowed to remain, but there can be no additions or expansions of those uses made nonconforming by this change without a special permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals (City of Cleveland,2020).
The following zoning map from the Cleveland city planning Commission helps us Analyze whether or not the proposed changes were applied. As we see in the figure the area Highlighted in the red box does reflect the changes proposed in the zoning ordinance and I feel that it better aligns with the area surrounding zones. The 2F-D1 zone which stands for two families, ‘D’ district area with a maximum 35 feet height paired with MF-G1 zone – multifamily, ‘G’ district area with, Maximum 35 feet height create a good balance of bulk and density with its neighboring MF -F3 type zone and 2F-B1 type. The addition of the LR-K2 zone which stands for local retail business, Area district ‘K’ with a maximum 60 feet height offers a great opportunity for direct street-front store access and sets in line with the zones abutting the site on the west. The land use map of the above-stated parcels differs from the proposed zoning and hence while proposing a future development the above-stated zones should be taken into consideration. For instance, the southwest parcel of the site which is marked as vacant could now be promoted as a site for Local retail businesses making with conducive to the zoning layout. Thus, if the land use was to comply with the proposed zoning the parcel area would tend to be more cohesive with its surrounding lots and the abrupt allocation of light industrial/ abandoned industrial areas could be remodeled keeping the resident population in mind. This harmony of residential, open/ recreation spaces, and local retail spaces would in turn promote a walkable community which is the need of the hour.
