When it comes to planning codes, it turns out the City of Miami has created the very model that all Florida communities should follow, according to the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, which just awarded Miami 21 the Award of Excellence in the Best Practices category.
Consider it a kind of "Design Bill of Rights" for the public, which should come in handy when the City puts together plans for reviving the Marine Stadium basin waterfront on Virginia Key.
For example, the best practices that should be followed for public waterfronts, according to Miami 21, ( “Appendix B: Waterfront Design Guidelines”) state that public access waterfront walkways shall:
Feel public: No one should feel as he or she are intruding on private property...
Be usable: Young and old, handicapped and joggers, lovers, fisherman, business and men and women, everyone should find the waterfront usable...
Provide visual access. The attraction is the water...enhance maximum visibility to the water.
Enhance visual quality. Parking and service areas must be completely screened...Materials, color and forms should complement the natural shoreline environment.
Connect to other public areas.
Take advantage of waterfront setting. Where practical, boating and fishing activities should be incorporated into waterfront designs.... Boat access from the water to the land is encouraged.
The guidelines go on to talk about meandering shorelines paths, natural shorelines and borders of native plants. In this idyllic landscape, even the public benches are required to have backs.
Best of all is the recommended signage: “All public access waterfront walks shall be marked with the standard “Public Shore” sign.
Miami 21 represents the “Miami of the 21st Century," according to the City of Miami Planning Department website, which states: "The Miami 21 Zoning Code is a Form-Based Code guided by tenets of New Urbanism and Smart Growth principles. For more info: www.miami21.org.
@All Rights Reserved 2010
On Facebook: Friends of Virginia Key
Thank you, as always.
ReplyDeletewhy does miami find it so difficult to develop their waterfront? all they need to do is look at new england. all the waterfronts up there are absolutely beautiful and quaint. stop the disney world mall look and just get it right. boardwalks, marinas, restaurants. please don't make another bayside. it's just another florida mall on the water.
ReplyDeleteThis post was reprinted in The Miami Herald newspaper, Oct. 4, 2010 in the Opinion Page "Blogosphere" section.
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