Urban Construction and the Reuse of Open Land for New Development
Constructing homes, apartments, office buildings, and city infrastructure in an urban location comes with specific challenges that must be overcome, the primary of which is land scarcity. City developers must also contend with the need for better air quality and the constant improvement of technology.
In urban planning, designers and developers are tasked with maintaining sustainable growth and efficient land management. Many cities have emissions restrictions that must be upheld during the construction process. To efficiently manage land resources, it’s important to recycle and reuse open urban land.
When planning the design or development of any urban project, consider utilizing permit expediting services to effectively manage the construction process. Before you can take the next step in your land reuse project, you’ll need to obtain building permits from the city.
Gaining approval for a permit application often takes months. With permit expediting, you can significantly reduce the approval timeline. In this guide, you’ll learn about the reuse of open urban land for new construction and the advantages it provides.
The Growing Need for Urban Land Reuse in Modern Cities
A common issue with urban construction is the limited amount of available space in growing cities. Most major cities are characterized by narrow streets, dense buildings, and a lack of available land. While land is scarce in many urban locations, developers are still tasked with constructing buildings and completing development projects. To effectively navigate this scarcity, it’s important to implement efficient and creative design solutions.
Open urban land must also support expanding city infrastructure. As cities grow, infrastructure demands increase. When working with limited space, it’s crucial that you take advantage of every square foot of land that’s available to you. In densely packed cities, this often means using innovative layouts and vertical space.
Vertical expansion is possible with the development of mid-rise and high-rise buildings that can accommodate more businesses or occupants without using a larger footprint. Spaces can also serve numerous functions as long as the buildings are designed for multiple uses. When dealing with high demand and limited space, prioritize resource management.
There are numerous environmental and economic benefits associated with reusing urban land for new construction projects. It’s estimated that there are more than 15 million acres of land across the U.S. that are sitting idle and are currently not being used. Land reuse ensures that these sites are cleaned up and revitalized, which makes it possible to use the land for new construction projects. These projects can bolster local tax revenues and create new jobs as well.
Reusing land also renews economic activity in areas that are otherwise underserved. Vacant and abandoned properties are usually found in commercial and industrial areas. When these sites are no longer used, they can become blemishes on the landscape that might negatively impact economic and social development. Reusing urban land also encourages nearby businesses to grow.
These efforts help with sustainability goals as well. The purpose of sustainability is to ensure the needs of the present are met without compromising the needs of future generations. For example, resources must be used sustainably to ensure they don’t run out. Land reuse is a sustainable technique that allows a limited resource to be recycled instead of abandoned.
Recent studies indicate that every acre of open urban land that’s redeveloped allows for 4.5 acres of undeveloped land to be conserved. Since these sites are located in urban areas, they can take advantage of existing infrastructure, which means that new roads, amenities, and gridlines don’t need to be created.
Key Factors Influencing Urban Construction and Land Reuse
There are several key factors that influence urban construction and land reuse. Before you start a development project, research local zoning requirements to make sure that the intended use of the land is permitted by the city.
If you’re reusing historic land, you might be tasked with following specific criteria to qualify for federal tax credits. You’ll need to apply these standards to the exterior, interior, and surrounding environment. Depending on the city the project occurs in, you might have access to guidelines that outline recommended treatments and methods for historic sites.
Once you assess the condition of the land as well as any existing structures, a comprehensive analysis must be performed by the owner as well as a design professional to identify potential problems. You can then determine how the footprint of the structure will be altered.
When you’re reusing land, there are some environmental considerations that might play a role in the development process. For example, will the project allow you to reduce construction waste and maintain sustainability? With adaptive reuse, you’ll be able to limit the environmental impact of your project by reducing the total amount of construction debris you create. Implement additional green building practices to protect the environment and reduce emissions.
The Process of Urban Construction: From Planning to Completion
Urban construction projects occur over many stages, which include everything from planning and design to implementation. The initial planning you perform prepares you for the entire project. During this stage, you must consider the location, site conditions, and environmental concerns. You may also need to engage with city planners, architects, and engineers to ensure the project adheres to zoning regulations and building codes. The decisions you make during the planning stage can affect everything from development costs to the project timeline.
Estimate the costs associated with labor and materials. If there are existing structures on the land, it’s important to identify how they will be renovated or demolished. When reusing land, make sure you don’t waste resources. Once you plan and design the building, you can start implementing it.
When working on an urban construction project, you’ll likely contend with several challenges, which include everything from poor site conditions to regulatory hurdles. For example, urban development projects typically require a considerable amount of flexibility.
You may need to change building plans and alter designs numerous times to ensure you’re able to bypass regulatory issues. The land you’re interested in reusing may not accommodate the specific use you have in mind. While your local building department may grant you a variance that serves as an exception to the zoning regulations, gaining approval can take weeks or months.
The main challenge in urban development involves making use of the limited space that’s available to you. While reusing land should help you properly navigate this issue, you’ll still need to implement construction methods that focus on conserving space and getting the most out of your limitations.
Keep in mind that urban development projects regularly come with strict deadlines, which is why the planning and design processes are crucial. For example, let’s say that the site is no longer being used because it contains a hazardous substance or pollutant. Before you move on to the implementation stage of development, the hazard must be contained and removed.
While land reuse projects can be highly cost-effective, it’s also easy to exceed your budget. Unexpected costs can arise during the construction process if you don’t account for potential issues beforehand. Keep in mind that state laws can vary when it comes to new buyers of contaminated properties. If you don’t identify and address poor site conditions before the project gets underway, you could face regulatory concerns and rising costs.
Permit Expediting: A Critical Step for Faster Project Approvals
Reusing open urban land may be the only option for new development in densely packed and populated areas. To reduce the project timeline and avoid running over budget, it’s highly recommended that you consider permit expediting.
Nearly every land reuse project requires permits. When you apply for a permit with your local building department, it could take months for the application to be approved depending on the department’s caseload and the complexity of your project.
With permit expediting, you can speed up the approval process. Permit expediters specialize in obtaining permits for construction projects. Their comprehensive understanding of zoning regulations and building codes allows them to anticipate problems and resolve them before they delay the approval process. Experienced expediters also have close relationships with jurisdiction professionals and city planners.
No matter the scope of your construction project, you should consider permit expediting. With the right expediter by your side, you can avoid revision requests and reduce the approval timeline by weeks. To ensure a successful permit expediting process, make sure you research local code requirements and provide the building department with the documentation they request. For example, you’ll likely need to submit site plans, building plans, and an environmental impact analysis for a land reuse project.
Conclusion
Urban land reuse allows developers to take advantage of limited resources in cities and other densely populated areas. This construction technique can help you protect the environment and reach your sustainability goals.
To ensure timely project completion, obtain streamlined permit expediting. With this service, your permit should be approved quickly, which means that you won’t need to delay the start of construction. Whether you’re a city planner, stakeholder, or developer, focus on sustainable and efficient growth strategies to avoid wasting resources and damaging the environment.
Jason Somers, President & Founder of Crest Real Estate
With over 15 years of professional experience in the Los Angeles luxury real estate market, Jason Somers has the background, judgement and track record to provide an unparalleled level of real estate services. His widespread knowledge helps clients identify and acquire income producing properties and value-ad development opportunities.
Learn more about Jason Somers or contact us.
