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The City of Miami is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Economic prosperity and strong leadership have converged with natural appeal to bless the City with the greatest urban renaissance seen in its history. Since 2001, the City has witnessed a 10% increase in population. This surge is startling when contrasted with the 1% growth experienced in the 1990s and the 7% total seen from 1970-2000. Estimates suggest that by the end of this decade, Miami's population may expand by as much as 30%.

Miami's growth is due in part to the worldwide trend towards greater urbanization. By 2025, the United Nations projects that urban population growth will make up about 90 percent of the world's population growth, and in the United States, in particular, 85 percent of the population will live in urban areas. These rates of urbanization are paralleled in cities and countries throughout the world.

Given the dramatic rate of urbanization, many cities struggle with managing their growth. It is becoming increasingly evident that growth made in haste and without sound planning will only lead to further problems. Transportation, abundant green spaces, land conservation and equal economic opportunity are just a few of the issues that can position a City as a place where people desire to live or, likewise, desire to avoid. For cities to sustain themselves for generations to come, growth must be acutely managed. It must be "smart growth".

Miami's answer to the challenge of "smart growth" is Miami 21 - a blueprint for the City of Miami of the 21st century and beyond. Miami 21 takes a holistic approach to land use and urban planning, broadening the scope of a traditional master plan to become a truly comprehensive plan. Miami 21 will provide a clear vision for the City that will be supported by specific guidelines and regulations so that future generations will reap the benefits of well-balanced neighborhoods and rich quality of life.

Miami 21 will take into account all of the integral factors that will make each area within the City a unique, vibrant place to live, learn, work and play. Six elements, in particular, will serve as the lynchpins in the development of the blueprint: Form-Based Code, Economic Development, Transportation, Parks & Public Realm, Arts & Culture, and Historic Preservation.

All of these factors will converge to create a planned approach to the City's growth. City staff, consultants and the public will work together on the development of the blueprint, ensuring that all the elements develop jointly and not in isolation. The dialogue between all stakeholders is necessary. For example, the new form-based code cannot be properly positioned without knowledge of the infrastructure and transportation mechanisms in each area of the City; recommendations for the most effective infrastructure and transportation plans cannot be made without consideration of the appropriate catalysts for economic development; all of these applications must chiefly consider those factors that contribute to a high quality of life in those areas (e.g., appropriate businesses, cultural attractions, green space development).

Form-Based Code

The core of Miami 21 is the development of a new code that replaces the existing zoning ordinance, an outdated ordinance which emphasizes "use" and "density". The existing code is focused on what is allowed, rather than what is desired. It has been further complicated by additional amendments, resulting in a voluminous set of regulations that creates conflict and frustration amongst developers and residents alike.

The new Miami 21 will provide a long term vision emphasizing "the form". Planning under this vision focuses on urban design practices proven to be effective, including great neighborhood centers, stable residential streets, successful urban parks, vibrant high density commercial streets and the successful coordination of standards for urban design, architecture, landscape, thoroughfare and use.

The adoption of this new code places the City in a proactive position relative to development that is appropriate and economically sound, simply smart growth. The City of Miami will have the tools that it needs to achieve the highest quality of development with a clear and acceptable vision of a community that citizens can embrace and promote. The benefits of a code with such clarity and vision are twofold:

Predictability for citizens and developers. Residential neighborhoods will be given the tools to conserve and enhance their unique character. Developers will have a clear understanding of the areas that are available for growth and will be able to focus their resources on projects that can succeed.

Efficiency. Miami 21 will also benefit the City by streamlining public process. The straightforward guidelines of the code provide a clear instruction for building. The reduction in time and cost will serve as an incentive for development and other businesses to locate in Miami.

Miami 21 will save money because it provides a unified and unambiguous policy that will allow simpler, more efficient implementation. It will also generate revenue for the City because it creates a predictable and stable environment for investment. Likewise, the environment for investment will be delineated by the economic development component of Miami 21.

The City of Miami has retained the architecture and design firm Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ) to develop the new code in conjunction with the City's Planning Department. DPZ will also serve as the lead consultant for Miami 21.

Economic Development

In order to create a plan that will allow for development that is most beneficial for the local economy and most compatible to surrounding neighborhoods, the City of Miami has retained Economics Research Associates (ERA) to create an economic development study of the entire city. ERA's work will guide all the aspects of Miami 21 towards successful and sustainable economic development. For example, this study will help to determine how land use influences which industries are priorities for a specific area.

In particular, the economic development study will address the following:

· The creation of a conceptual plan for economic development in the City.
· Review of current needs within existing commercial corridors to develop adequate zoning codes to encourage economic growth.
· Identification of current and proposed projects that may affect planning and zoning requirements to allow for their development.
· Identification of potential effects of those proposed projects on infrastructure requirements, City services, fiscal impacts, and impacts on surrounding communities.
· Identification of potential development sites for new or proposed projects that are adequate for that area of the city.
· Identification of alternative funding available to the city for the promotion of proposed projects.

Transportation

Miami 21 will also create a plan for the transportation needs of the City. The City has brought on board transportation professionals that will create a comprehensive transportation study which will address:

· Existing conditions of the City's main corridors including information from the City, County, and State.
· Existing transit services and review of existing traffic conditions along each corridor.
· Existing parking requirements along each corridor and requirements necessary for the future redevelopment that will result from the new code.
· Recommendations for improvements that will mitigate congestion, improve the existing road network, encourage highway design that is compatible to surrounding neighborhoods, and promote alternative transportation options.

Gannett Fleming, Inc. is the lead transportation consultant for Miami 21. The firm will also compliment existing City transportation initiatives.

Parks and Public Realm

As part of Miami 21, the City of Miami is embarking on an important endeavor to develop a Comprehensive Parks Master Plan. This plan is an innovative, all-inclusive approach to create a sustainable public realm that not only identifies potential alternatives for the City's parks, recreational facilities, open spaces, and connectivity corridors, but creates a prescriptive link to design guidelines. This plan extends beyond the traditional park definition, reaching into both residential and commercial corridors with linear open space for public enjoyment. The plan focuses on the identification of neighborhood needs, values, mobilization, constraints and opportunities. The results of the process will be a Public Realm Parks Implementation Plan that details an interconnected system of parks, programs, open spaces, bay walks, landscape elements and street design criteria throughout the City. The process of the Parks Master Plan development and design will engage neighborhood groups, elected officials, public agencies, local artists, and educational facilities via publicly advertised forums and workshops.

Goody Clancy, an architecture, planning and preservation firm based out of Boston, will develop the implementation plan.

Historic Preservation

As Miami grows, so too will a greater emphasis be placed on the importance of preserving historic landmarks that contribute to the City's unique character. As Miami 21 is developed, there will be significant consideration for historic preservation - as these landmarks are often the most treasured parts of any given neighborhood. The City will rely on the assistance of experts in the field of historic preservation to ascertain that historic districts continue to be protected and make recommendations regarding historic designation.

Art and Culture

MIAMI 21 must facilitate the growth of the City as a hub for arts and culture. To that end, the Arts & Entertainment Council has been tasked to recommend methods that will enhance arts and culture throughout the unique areas of the City. The council members will review current and proposed plans for cultural projects across Miami.

The development of major cultural attractions is already underway with Miami's Performing Arts Center and the Museums of Art and Science slated to be developed at Museum Park. However, these hubs must be complimented by cultural attractions throughout the city, including art galleries and movie theaters. The Arts & Entertainment Council will continually advise as to how Miami 21 should affect those projects and promote new projects where they are needed.