Community Planning and Development

Direct growth to Areas of Change while preserving the character of Areas of Stability.

Areas of Stability include the vast majority of Denver and are primarily the fairly stable residential neighborhoods where no significant changes in land use are expected over the next twenty years. The goal is to maintain the character of these areas and accommodate some new development and redevelopment that maintains the vitality of the area.

The majority of new development will be directed to Areas of Change; areas that will benefit from, and thrive on, an infusion of population, economic activity and investment.  These areas include the new growth areas of Lowry, Stapleton, the Gateway area, downtown, around transit stations, and along major street and/or transportation corridors.

Improving the function of streets is vital and must be viewed as a means to move people; not just cars.

Multi-modal streets are streets that can comfortably accommodate multiple modes of transportation, including

• public transportation,
• pedestrians,
• bicycles, and 
• private vehicles

 

Multi-modal streets accommodate more trips by more people in the same amount of space by improving transit and providing better pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Multi-modal streets consider all types of transportation to be equally important, helping mixed-use development become successful as well as reducing traffic congestion. 

Mixed-Use Development refers to urban places where residential, retail and commercial uses are intertwined, including downtown, corridors such as along main streets, transit-oriented development around rapid transit stations, town centers, and other urban centers. 

Returning to communities where people can walk or take transit for their daily errands, or drive with shorter and less frequent car trips will provide more choices for Denver residents, employers, and visitors.