Governance of Multifunctional Urban Spaces: Integrating Dynamic and Static Spaces
Multifunctional land-use planning is an integrated approach aimed at increasing how land is used in different areas and at different scales. Its integration approach depends on the interplay of the static (e.g., essential urban services) and urban activities’ dynamics (optional and recreation). Different geographical areas from residential, commercial, industrial, recreational to commercial-residential sites can play multifunctional roles and foster the life duration of urban spaces. This approach contributes to optimizing the use of lands and controlling urban sprawl and growth by reviving the existing mono-functional spaces. Mono-purpose urban lands re-purpose toward a multi-purpose project. This approach can enhance the quality of life in cities, for instance, a place of life, work, shop, and play. An urban land indeed is cross-disciplinary capital addressing the social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological needs of the population and fostering well-being, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-UN-Habitat. Lands are the collaborative capitals of diverse and multi-scale urban actors from residents to policymakers, while various functions are combined in one area in majorly three ways:
- A spatial combination of separate land units with other functions; 2. Different functions devoted to the same land unit but separated in time; 3. The integration of functions on the same unit of land at the same time.
In this context, the benefits of multifunctionality include 1. Creating a balance between residential and commercial uses and facilitating providing basic needs of urban life, 2. Making a continuous relationship between the individuals and the city enhances belonging and satisfaction, 3. Balance of commercial and residential uses in neighborhoods that leads to enhancement of social interactions, 4. Increased diversity resulted from decentralization and distribution of services across the city, 5. The population is expanding the possibility and easiness of accessing leisure facilities and health services. Indeed, multifunctionality decreased travel time and maintenance and repair costs due to centralizing the activities, facilities, and infrastructure. On a macro scale, multifunctionality reduces urban sprawl and increases density, promotes spatial and environmental quality, improves the economic performance of the whole space, and creates a vital attracting area.
In addition, various functions and their relations should be studied in different time intervals because the duration of land use can add to the capitalist value of the lands and its dynamic life duration in the urban network.
Although the concept is addressed on a large scale, economic aspects are much more emphasized than social and environmental aspects. This approach can also be applied in local projects and small areas, improve urban vitality (dynamism), and enhance the quality of life for citizens.
