What is city diversity???
City diversity is what makes a city livable. City diversity makes a city fun. City diversity is live-work-play. City diversity is culture. City diversity is exploration. In essence, city diversity is what makes a city district thrive. The four qualities listed below are needed to create city diversity.
1.
District has more than one primary function.
Different primary functions have people that:
A. Go outside on different schedules
B. Are there for different purposes
C. Can share common facilities
This urban district contains 3 primary uses; office, residential & a university.
2.
Most blocks are short.
Short blocks provide areas where people (by foot) can experience without extra effort the streets other than their own. This allows people to pool economic resources and increase their social awareness of the community.
Portland's downtown is known for small blocks, most of which are less than 300' in length. (Image from Google Maps)
3.
Buildings vary in age.
Allows for tenants of varying rent levels both commercially and residentially. This is especially needed to encourage the presence of local enterprises.
An older office building adjacent to a newer office building.
District has dense concentrations of people.
This concentration must include people that live in the district. These people support the businesses and other institutions.
Large groups of people are needed to warrant closing this street.