Ordinance No. 18686 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IS68b E. Env -i ronmental Design Element The Environmental Design Element is concer -ned with that broad process which molds the v ar io -us components of the urban area into a distinctive l i v a b l e form that promotes a high quality of l i f e . The Metropolitan General Plan must go beyond making the urban area more efficient and better.. organized to also ensure that the area is a pleasant, attractive, and d e s i r a b l e place for people to live, work, and play. The Environmental Design Element is concerned with how people perceive and interact with their surroundings. Perceptions of l i v a b i l i t y greatly differ between individuals, so generalizations concerning this element need to be carefully drawn. Many different indicators of livability have been identi- fied, such as the numbers of local educational,, medical, and recreational facilities, and natural environmental conditions. Not all these indicators are directly concerned with environmental design, showing that the concept of - 1 iv ab i l i ty i s i of 1 uenced by al 1 el ements of the Metropol i tan General Pl an. This element focuses on some of the features of the natural and built envir- onment that affect the-quality of life. The metropolitan area i's changing in ways that are far-reaching and diverse. Decisions which concern change have an effect on the form of the area. If we are to maintain a livable urban environment and realize the full potential of our desirable and distinctive dualities, daily decisions that concern change must be qui ded by environmental design principles, such as site planning, in combination with other planning policies. Based on concerns related to energy conservation , environmental preservation, transportation, and other issues, increased density is desirable. This increases the need for effective, detailed environmental design i n . order to ensure a high quality of life, and a high degree of livability in an increasingly dense urban environment, This area is noted for the high degree of. 1 i v ab j l i ty enjoyed by its . resi- dents. Environmental design is' a process that helps to maintain and enhance these positive attributes. Findings 1. Present and continued emphasis on compact growth increases the need. for attention to detailed, specific environmental design components such as site pl ann. i ng and landscaping of development . 2. Decisions are constantly. being made which affect the form and design of the metropolitan area -, 1 1 III-E-1