Sarasota Master Planning - Urban Planning

What have we learned about the demise of our Florida urban centers, or more specifically, "what makes for successful downtowns?" New Urbanism principles promote places for people to gather and interact with one another; a stage on which to debate, observe or be observed; and be entertained. They need to be people places with the right blending of color, scale, mass, proportion, texture, rhythm, balance, etc. that feel and are safe and secure.

The vibrancy of the City of Sarasota master and urban planning is rooted in the proper balance of public plazas, art walks, fountains, shade, urban landscaping, pedestrian friendly gathering places, and information kiosks. It includes both historic and contemporary architecture and interior design, combining low, mid rise and high rise mixed use buildings that provide affordable work force housing, live/work units and luxury condominiums and townhomes.

Vibrant, sustainable downtowns contain street level retail shopping, restaurants, bars, night clubs, entertainment venues, offices, corporate headquarters, sports venues, civic centers, performing arts centers, art galleries, government centers, mixed use parking garages, and commercial space. Urban cores are environments with pedestrian oriented wide sidewalks and traffic calmed crosswalks that encourage public mass transit and feature public gathering parks, urban plazas and open recreational space.