Urban Design, Public Space, Architecture, and Housing

Vision

Buffalo Niagara will redefine urban excellence by creating vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities characterized by iconic architecture, accessible public spaces, and diverse housing options. Our urban design will foster a sense of place, celebrate the region’s heritage, and enhance quality of life, making Buffalo Niagara a global model for livable cities.

Strategic Objectives

  1. Develop Iconic Architecture: Create a distinctive skyline that blends historic preservation with bold, modern designs, establishing Buffalo Niagara as a destination for architectural innovation.
  2. Enhance Public Spaces: Design vibrant, accessible, and inclusive public spaces that encourage community engagement, cultural expression, and year-round activity.
  3. Promote Diverse and Affordable Housing: Expand housing options to meet the needs of all residents, prioritizing affordability, sustainability, and proximity to transit and amenities.
  4. Advance Sustainable Urban Design: Integrate green infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly layouts, and resilient urban planning to create environmentally sustainable and livable neighborhoods.

Key Strategies

1. Iconic Architecture

  • Signature Projects: Commission world-renowned architects to design landmark buildings, such as a new cultural center or waterfront tower, that reflect Buffalo Niagara’s ambition and heritage.
  • Historic Preservation: Restore and repurpose historic structures, like the grain elevators and H.H. Richardson’s Buffalo State Asylum, to serve as cultural and commercial hubs while preserving their architectural legacy.
  • Design Standards: Establish architectural guidelines that promote high-quality, context-sensitive designs for new developments, ensuring aesthetic cohesion across the region.
  • Public Art Integration: Incorporate public art installations into new buildings and public spaces to celebrate local culture and enhance visual appeal.

2. Vibrant Public Spaces

  • Waterfront Revitalization: Expand Canalside and develop new waterfront destinations along Lake Erie and the Niagara River, featuring year-round amenities like outdoor markets, performance spaces, and recreational facilities.
  • Pedestrian-Friendly Zones: Create car-free districts in downtown Buffalo and Niagara Falls, with widened sidewalks, streetscaping, and public plazas to encourage foot traffic and local commerce.
  • Inclusive Design: Ensure public spaces are accessible to all, including people with disabilities, through universal design principles and features like tactile paving and sensory gardens.
  • Year-Round Activation: Program public spaces with festivals, farmers’ markets, and winter activities like ice skating to maintain vibrancy in all seasons.

3. Diverse and Affordable Housing

  • Zoning Reform: Revise zoning codes to allow mixed-use developments, accessory dwelling units, and high-density housing near transit hubs, reducing sprawl and increasing affordability.
  • Affordable Housing Incentives: Offer tax credits and subsidies to developers who commit to including at least 20% affordable units in new projects, targeting low- and middle-income households.
  • Innovative Housing Models: Promote co-housing, micro-apartments, and modular construction to address diverse housing needs and reduce costs.
  • Equitable Development: Prioritize housing projects in historically underserved neighborhoods to prevent displacement and ensure equitable access to new amenities.

4. Sustainable Urban Design

  • Green Infrastructure: Integrate rain gardens, permeable pavements, and urban tree canopies to manage stormwater, reduce heat islands, and enhance environmental resilience.
  • Transit-Oriented Development: Design neighborhoods around public transit hubs, with enhanced bus and light rail connectivity, to reduce car dependency and promote walkability.
  • Energy-Efficient Buildings: Mandate energy-efficient standards for new constructions, including LEED certification, and offer retrofitting grants for existing buildings to reduce energy consumption.
  • Climate Resilience: Plan for climate change impacts by elevating infrastructure in flood-prone areas and incorporating cooling centers in public spaces to address extreme weather.

Implementation Plan

  • Short-Term (1-2 Years):
    • Launch a design competition for a new iconic building in downtown Buffalo.
    • Begin waterfront expansion projects, including additional recreational facilities at Canalside.
    • Pass zoning reforms to allow mixed-use and affordable housing developments.
    • Establish a public art fund to support local artists in creating installations for public spaces.
  • Medium-Term (3-5 Years):
    • Complete restoration of at least two historic landmarks for adaptive reuse.
    • Develop three new pedestrian-friendly zones with enhanced streetscaping.
    • Construct 5,000 new housing units, with 25% designated as affordable.
    • Implement green infrastructure in 50% of new public space projects.
  • Long-Term (5-10 Years):
    • Achieve recognition as a UNESCO City of Design by 2035.
    • Ensure 90% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a high-quality public space.
    • Reduce residential energy consumption by 20% through sustainable building practices.
    • Create a regional urban design framework that integrates all municipalities in Buffalo Niagara.

Metrics for Success

  • Architectural Impact: Complete five signature architectural projects by 2030, attracting at least 500,000 visitors annually to cultural and architectural landmarks.
  • Public Space Access: Ensure 80% of residents have access to a high-quality public space within a 10-minute walk by 2035.
  • Housing Diversity: Increase affordable housing stock by 10,000 units by 2035, with 50% in mixed-income developments.
  • Sustainability: Reduce urban heat island effects by 15% through green infrastructure and achieve a 25% reduction in building-related carbon emissions by 2035.

Conclusion

Through visionary urban design, iconic architecture, vibrant public spaces, and inclusive housing policies, Buffalo Niagara will create a built environment that inspires residents and visitors alike. This strategy will transform the region into a global leader in sustainable, equitable, and beautiful urban living, setting a standard for cities worldwide.