NEW URBANISM
Step it up
When downgrading in size , many boomers will hope to make up for it in community . Connecting with neighbors is a way of life within a New Urbanist design . When walkability is at the core , how could you not run into your neighbor as you head to the store , your favorite restaurant , or the lake nearby ? Communities like Parkview Living in Los Angeles , embrace an active senior living environment that overlooks the downtown and is built around Echo Park and Lake , as well as nearby restaurants , shops , churches , and hospitals for a pedestrian-friendly experience .
As walkability is becoming a way of living , it ’ s quickly becoming a staple of senior living developments ; one that embraces the the new urbanist values . With New Urbanism , communities are consciously built around the neighborhood , and even more so , around the people living in the community .
Location , location , location
The New Urbanist design is structured to provide radial access to your surroundings with a distinct urban core and city center . Adding a mixed-use concept to senior living developments gives residents the ability to walk to the grocer and restaurants , wellness center & bookstores , and nature trails & dog parks . Conscious building benefits everyone , however , an aging generation is likely to especially enjoy the simplicity and ergonomic environment built down to the street corner for their needs .
A purposeful strategy in mixed-use design for senior living gives residents a whole new meaning for neighborhood . Highlands Garden Village , for example , is a New Urbanism award-winning and mixed-use neighborhood in Denver , offering senior residents the ability to live , work , and shop all within a minutes walk from their home . Walkscore . com identifies a neighboorhood ’ s walkability index , ranging from 82 being very walkable to
69 being bikeable with minimal lanes ; HGV lands a promising 84 , which is an impressive amenitiy for residents .
A luxury / elevation in urban living
Senior living communities that are adopting the New Urbanism philosophy have a keen sense for understanding the resident . Sustainable designers consider the neighborhood , the structure , and the experience . With this urban senior living model , baby boomers are relocating to high-rise developments that are structured to reinvent the urban lifestyle .
New Urbanism-style communities allow for diverse living environments and mobility . Proper-
Green Commons at Highlands ’ Garden Village in Denver , CO
ties like The Clare in Chicago offer senior residents the luxury of walking downstairs to enjoy high-end dining and an escape to Park District full of 8,000 acres of nature walks , benches , and beaches . Located in the heart of Chicago , this development redefines your typical senior living community by bringing in New Urbanism values and rethinking the concept of urban living .
As New Urbanism neighborhoods continue to pop up throughout the country and change the urban landscape , a diverse group of demographics will both demand and flock to these environmentally-conscious neighborhoods . Stay tuned as we continue to research the development trends surrounding senior living and New Urbanism !
Amy Johnson is a Content Strategist for Criterion . B ( formerly Canonball ), a digital marketing agency in Dallas that specializes in both multifamily and mixed-use development .
Canonball , a leading marketing agency focused on branding and inbound marketing for the commercial real estate industry , is proud to announce their new name , Criterion . B . Operating as Criterion . B , the agency aims to drive strong ROI , enhance business growth , and build brand identities for their clients . www . cb . agency www . aamdhq . org JANUARY 2017 • TRENDS | 23