Detailed Definition
In-Fill Development is an urban planning approach that focuses on using available land within a city’s existing infrastructure to create new developments. Rather than expanding the geographical boundaries of a city, in-fill development maximizes the use of underutilized inner-city spaces. This can include developing vacant lots, repurposing obsolete or abandoned buildings, and utilizing brownfields.
Benefits
- Optimizes Existing Infrastructure: Utilizes already available public facilities such as roads, utilities, schools, and transit systems.
- Reduces Urban Sprawl: Concentrates development in existing urban areas, preserving open space and reducing environmental impacts.
- Promotes Mixed-Use Development: Supports a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational buildings in close proximity.
- Encourages Community Revitalization: Can stimulate economic development and reduce blight in older neighborhoods.
Examples
- Residential In-Fill: In the city of Boomville, developers create new townhouses on several adjacent vacant lots within an established downtown neighborhood, increasing housing density and supporting local businesses.
- Commercial In-Fill: An abandoned factory near the urban center is transformed into a mixed-use complex with retail stores, offices, and loft apartments.
- Brownfield Redevelopment: A formerly contaminated industrial site is cleaned up and developed into a public park and a public school.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between in-fill development and urban sprawl?
In-fill development focuses on efficiently using existing urban areas, while urban sprawl refers to spreading development outwards to rural areas, leading to more environmental degradation and greater reliance on cars.
Can in-fill development apply to both residential and commercial projects?
Yes, in-fill development can be applied to create both residential, commercial, and mixed-use areas, thus benefiting various aspects of urban living.
What are typical challenges associated with in-fill development?
Common challenges include higher costs, community opposition, stricter zoning laws, and potential conflicts with existing infrastructure.
How does in-fill development contribute to sustainability?
By utilizing existing infrastructure and concentrating development to reduce the need for new infrastructure, in-fill development promotes more efficient land use and reduces carbon footprints.
Related Terms
- Brownfield: Abandoned or underutilized industrial sites that may require environmental cleanup before redevelopment.
- Urban Sprawl: The unplanned, continuous spread of urban development into previously rural areas.
- Mixed-Use Development: Combining residential, commercial, and/or industrial uses within a single project or distinct neighborhood.
- Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Planning residential and commercial spaces around public transit hubs to minimize reliance on automobiles.
- Smart Growth: Urban planning and transportation strategies emphasizing sustainable development, efficient infrastructure, and community-oriented growth.
Online Resources
- American Planning Association (APA): Provides resources on urban planning and sustainable development strategies.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI): Offers research and initiatives related to smart urban growth, including in-fill development.
- EPA - Brownfields and Land Revitalization: Includes guidelines and case studies for redeveloping brownfield sites.
References
- American Planning Association. “Infill Development” Retrieved from https://www.planning.org/
- Urban Land Institute. “Urban Revitalization and In-Fill Development” Retrieved from https://uli.org/
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Brownfields and Land Revitalization” Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/brownfields
Suggested Books
- The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs – A classic work on urban planning that explores ways to revitalize urban areas.
- Urban Sprawl and Public Health: Designing, Planning, and Building for Healthy Communities by Howard Frumkin, Lawrence Frank, and Richard Jackson – Explores the intersection of urban design and public health.
- Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs by Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson – Provides insights into making suburban areas more sustainable through in-fill development.
Real Estate Basics: In-Fill Development Fundamentals Quiz
### What is In-Fill Development?
- [ ] Developing land on the city's outskirts.
- [x] Developing vacant or underutilized land within existing urban areas.
- [ ] A project planning concept for new highways.
- [ ] A type of architectural design for skyscrapers.
> **Explanation:** In-Fill Development is the process of developing vacant or underutilized land within existing urban areas that are already largely developed, maximizing the use of available space without expanding city boundaries.
### One of the primary benefits of in-fill development is:
- [ ] Increased need for new infrastructure.
- [x] Optimizing the use of existing infrastructure.
- [ ] Promoting urban sprawl.
- [ ] Creating isolated developments.
> **Explanation:** In-fill development utilizes existing public facilities like roads, utilities, and schools, reducing costs and enhancing the efficiency of urban infrastructure.
### Which of the following best describes a potential challenge of in-fill development?
- [ ] It contributes to urban sprawl.
- [ ] It always reduces real estate costs.
- [x] It might face community opposition and need strict zoning adjustments.
- [ ] It disregards environmental considerations.
> **Explanation:** Despite its benefits, in-fill development can face higher costs, community opposition, and the need for zoning law flexibility, making it challenging to implement.
### How does in-fill development contribute to the sustainability of an urban area?
- [ ] By increasing the city's physical size.
- [ ] Through extensive use of natural undeveloped land.
- [x] By efficiently using available resources and reducing the need for new infrastructure.
- [ ] By focusing only on new commercial buildings.
> **Explanation:** In-fill development concentrates usage on already developed areas, optimizing existing infrastructure and minimizing environmental impact, thus promoting sustainable urban growth.
### What kind of land is commonly targeted in in-fill development projects?
- [ ] Pristine rural lands
- [ ] Forest reserves
- [x] Vacant lots and underutilized urban areas
- [ ] Agricultural expanses
> **Explanation:** In-fill development aims to transform vacant or underutilized plots within existing urban infrastructures, maximizing the efficiency of land use.
### In-fill development is most likely to support which kind of urban planning?
- [x] Mixed-Use Development
- [ ] Large-scale industrial parks
- [ ] Isolated residential zones
- [ ] Single-function business districts
> **Explanation:** Mixed-Use Development is highly compatible with in-fill development, promoting diverse, multi-functional urban spaces that optimize land use and infrastructure.
### What is a brownfield site?
- [ ] A residential green space
- [ ] A recently developed park
- [x] An abandoned or underutilized industrial site needing environmental cleanup
- [ ] A new commercial shopping center
> **Explanation:** A brownfield is generally an abandoned or underused industrial area that may require remediation for contaminants before it can be safely repurposed.
### What is the concept of smart growth in urban planning?
- [ ] An unplanned spread into rural areas
- [ ] Maximizing housing density irrespective of infrastructure capabilities
- [ ] Using short-term planning strategies
- [x] Efficient, sustainable urban growth strategies that optimize infrastructure and land use
> **Explanation:** Smart growth focuses on sustainable, planned urban expansion and in-fill development by using available resources and infrastructure efficiently while emphasizing community well-being.
### Which word relates directly to reclaiming and developing previously used industrial land?
- [ ] Urban Sprawl
- [ ] Sprawl
- [ ] Mixed Use
- [x] Brownfield
> **Explanation:** Brownfield redevelopment involves reclaiming contaminated or underutilized industrial sites by cleaning them up and repurposing the land for new uses.
### Urban sprawl typically denotes:
- [x] The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into rural lands.
- [ ] Efforts to limit the geographical expansion of urban areas.
- [ ] Developing only city center areas.
- [ ] Preserving rural agricultural lands within city limits.
> **Explanation:** Urban sprawl signifies the expansive, often unsustainable growth of urban development into rural regions, leading to various socio-environmental issues.
