Livable Built Environment
Vision: In 2040, Roanoke is a growing, historic cultural hub with: vibrant neighborhoods for all; housing that is safe, accessible, affordable, and varied; advanced technology to provide access opportunities for all, connected by an integrated multi-modal, user-friendly transportation system.
The City of Roanoke is 42 square miles in area with much of that land already developed. The land that remains is either park space (e.g., Mill Mountain) or land that is steep, in a flood zone, has access issues, or is otherwise difficult to use. Recognizing the benefits and challenges of growth within the existing built form of the City of Roanoke, community members, businesses, and City staff worked together to strategize eight priorities that will help ensure that the built environment of Roanoke continues to evolve in the best manner possible to serve both existing and future generations in making the City a vibrant place to live, learn, work, play, and visit.
Growth needs to occur through the preservation and reuse of existing buildings and infrastructure. Where new development or redevelopment occurs, it should be done in a manner that is sensitive to the surrounding community. One of the benefits with developing within an existing community is that ability to make use of the existing infrastructure (i.e., streets, water and sewer systems, electrical distribution, etc.). To gain that advantage, existing infrastructure needs to be maintained and improved to allow for growth.
Much of the city was developed prior to World War II when neighborhoods contained a variety of residential uses as well as small neighborhood centers to serve the needs of neighborhood residents. These Complete Neighborhoods are built at a human scale, are pedestrian friendly and bikeable, and meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
The community has overwhelmingly said that complete neighborhoods are important. Neighborhoods ideally function as complete neighborhoods when there is safe and convenient access to the goods and services needed in daily life. Future development should support existing neighborhoods with a goal of maintaining or creating complete neighborhoods throughout the City.
Complete Neighborhood Elements:
- housing options
- stores and other commercial services
- quality public schools
- public open spaces and recreational facilities
- civic amenities
- transportation options
The complete neighborhood is built at a human scale, is pedestrian friendly and bikeable, and meets the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
To be a complete neighborhood, a range of housing types are needed to support residents at various stages in life, from a starter home to a residence where one can age in place. Middle housing types such as accessory apartments, duplexes, or townhomes are present in some older neighborhoods in the city but are missing from others. Addressing Missing Middle Housing is important to provide a range of housing options and maintaining some affordability.
As areas of the City are developed, a focus should be put on creating a sense of place. Such place making creates various public and private spaces that are interactive and may incorporate visual art elements to create a unique and special feel.
To support the livability of our community it is important to have a transportation network that supports all modes of transportation. All city streets should be Complete Streets that support use by pedestrians, bicycles and similar transport, and transit, as well as automobile. Likewise, connections between land use, specifically neighborhood centers and transit should be strengthened to provide the best access for those residents that rely on transit and to encourage the use of transit as a preferred mode of transportation all residents.
Priority One: Growth Through Preservation and Context Sensitive Design
As a steadily growing city, Roanoke recognizes the need to plan for increasing population. Policies for this priority focus on compact development that takes into account surrounding neighborhood characteristics and patterns, and nearby natural assets.
Priority Two: Complete Neighborhoods
Roanoke recognizes the importance of neighborhoods that provide safe and convenient access to a variety of goods and services including: housing options, commercial services, schools and places of worship, open space, and civic amenities. Policies for this priority focus on a complete neighborhood built at a human scale that meets the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
Priority Three: Interactive Spaces
Roanoke recognizes that vibrant spaces for gathering create a sense of community and social interaction. Policies for this priority focus on creating physical, public places for people to come together.
Priority Four: Housing
Roanoke recognizes the need for housing in a range of types and levels of affordability. Policies for this priority focus on meeting the future needs of a growing and diverse population.
Priority Five: Arts and Culture
Roanoke recognizes the impact arts and culture has on community well-being and tourism. Policies for this priority focus on integrating arts and cultural activities in physical design, and neighborhood revitalization strategies that highlight local talent.
Priority Six: Interconnected Transportation System
Roanoke recognizes the need to improve and expand multimodal transportation. Policies for this priority focus on improving local transportation connections and options.
Priority Seven: Complete Streets
Roanoke recognizes the need for streets that are safe for all users. Policies for this priority focus on improved infrastructure and education on all modes of transportation, such as bicycling and walking.
Priority Eight: Improve Infrastructure
Roanoke recognizes the need for infrastructure that allows all areas of the community to grow and develop as proposed in the prior listed priorities.
The City of Roanoke is 42 square miles in area with much of that land already developed. The land that remains is either park space (e.g., Mill Mountain) or land that is steep, in a flood zone, has access issues, or is otherwise difficult to use. Recognizing the benefits and challenges of growth within the existing built form of the City of Roanoke, community members, businesses, and City staff worked together to strategize eight priorities that will help ensure that the built environment of Roanoke continues to evolve in the best manner possible to serve both existing and future generations in making the City a vibrant place to live, learn, work, play, and visit.
Growth needs to occur through the preservation and reuse of existing buildings and infrastructure. Where new development or redevelopment occurs, it should be done in a manner that is sensitive to the surrounding community. One of the benefits with developing within an existing community is that ability to make use of the existing infrastructure (i.e., streets, water and sewer systems, electrical distribution, etc.). To gain that advantage, existing infrastructure needs to be maintained and improved to allow for growth.
Much of the city was developed prior to World War II when neighborhoods contained a variety of residential uses as well as small neighborhood centers to serve the needs of neighborhood residents. These Complete Neighborhoods are built at a human scale, are pedestrian friendly and bikeable, and meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
The community has overwhelmingly said that complete neighborhoods are important. Neighborhoods ideally function as complete neighborhoods when there is safe and convenient access to the goods and services needed in daily life. Future development should support existing neighborhoods with a goal of maintaining or creating complete neighborhoods throughout the City.
Complete Neighborhood Elements:
- housing options
- stores and other commercial services
- quality public schools
- public open spaces and recreational facilities
- civic amenities
- transportation options
The complete neighborhood is built at a human scale, is pedestrian friendly and bikeable, and meets the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
To be a complete neighborhood, a range of housing types are needed to support residents at various stages in life, from a starter home to a residence where one can age in place. Middle housing types such as accessory apartments, duplexes, or townhomes are present in some older neighborhoods in the city but are missing from others. Addressing Missing Middle Housing is important to provide a range of housing options and maintaining some affordability.
As areas of the City are developed, a focus should be put on creating a sense of place. Such place making creates various public and private spaces that are interactive and may incorporate visual art elements to create a unique and special feel.
To support the livability of our community it is important to have a transportation network that supports all modes of transportation. All city streets should be Complete Streets that support use by pedestrians, bicycles and similar transport, and transit, as well as automobile. Likewise, connections between land use, specifically neighborhood centers and transit should be strengthened to provide the best access for those residents that rely on transit and to encourage the use of transit as a preferred mode of transportation all residents.
Priority One: Growth Through Preservation and Context Sensitive Design
As a steadily growing city, Roanoke recognizes the need to plan for increasing population. Policies for this priority focus on compact development that takes into account surrounding neighborhood characteristics and patterns, and nearby natural assets.
Priority Two: Complete Neighborhoods
Roanoke recognizes the importance of neighborhoods that provide safe and convenient access to a variety of goods and services including: housing options, commercial services, schools and places of worship, open space, and civic amenities. Policies for this priority focus on a complete neighborhood built at a human scale that meets the needs of people of all ages and abilities.
Priority Three: Interactive Spaces
Roanoke recognizes that vibrant spaces for gathering create a sense of community and social interaction. Policies for this priority focus on creating physical, public places for people to come together.
Priority Four: Housing
Roanoke recognizes the need for housing in a range of types and levels of affordability. Policies for this priority focus on meeting the future needs of a growing and diverse population.
Priority Five: Arts and Culture
Roanoke recognizes the impact arts and culture has on community well-being and tourism. Policies for this priority focus on integrating arts and cultural activities in physical design, and neighborhood revitalization strategies that highlight local talent.
Priority Six: Interconnected Transportation System
Roanoke recognizes the need to improve and expand multimodal transportation. Policies for this priority focus on improving local transportation connections and options.
Priority Seven: Complete Streets
Roanoke recognizes the need for streets that are safe for all users. Policies for this priority focus on improved infrastructure and education on all modes of transportation, such as bicycling and walking.
Priority Eight: Improve Infrastructure
Roanoke recognizes the need for infrastructure that allows all areas of the community to grow and develop as proposed in the prior listed priorities.