Social infrastructure consists of facilities, spaces, services, and networks that support a community’s quality of life and well-being. A recent article published in Urban Land Magazine suggested that social spaces (like parks, entertainment centers and favorite restaurants) can transform an environment from a collection of buildings to a place that holds meaning for the community.
The article also explained that social infrastructure can build resilience to improve a community’s well-being.
The article suggested three strategies to help develop social infrastructure:
#1 – Make New Space
The article explained that “the best social infrastructure happens through intentional action, design and planning.” To that end, the space included in a design-build should be a gathering point. Examples include a roof terrace, dedicating part of a retail space to a locally owned café or integrating a pop-up health clinic for community members in a building’s lobby.
#2 – Use the Spaces In Between
The article indicated that spaces in between buildings are often ignored when it comes to social interactions. “If well-designed and maintained, the areas around and between the main programs of a development are where people cross paths, bump into each other, have impromptu conversations and deepen relationships,” the article explained. Suggestions for improving the in-between spaces included improving pedestrian walkways, implementing quality streetscapes and refining seating areas.
#3 – Mix Uses
While mixed-use isn’t anything new, the article pointed out that “developments that serve multiple functions can attract more types of users and meet a variety of needs.” This helps ensure space activation while encouraging social interaction. One example provided was the office developer that includes entertainment spaces to “ensure the property does not empty out after typical work hours, but instead hosts people enjoying leisure time together.”
The post Using Social Infrastructure to Improve Community Well-Being appeared first on Connect CRE.
Robert Khodadadian has long had a simple philosophy about selling real estate. There are approximately a million buildings in the city, and the broker that gets to sell any one among the multitude that will hit the auctioning block at a given moment is, sometimes, simply the person who happens to pitch their services to the right seller.
robert khodadadian, skyline properties, commercial real estate, off market real estate, daniel shirazi, real estate investment, new york real estate
Read MoreConnect CRESocial infrastructure consists of facilities, spaces, services, and networks that support a community’s quality of life and well-being. A recent article published in Urban Land Magazine suggested that social spaces (like parks, entertainment centers and favorite restaurants) can transform an environment from a collection of buildings to a place that holds meaning for the community. …
The post Using Social Infrastructure to Improve Community Well-Being appeared first on Connect CRE.