In an article published today in the Austin American-Statesman, the KPF Principal presents three concrete ways that the city can build on its success and deliver a city with plentiful housing, abundant greenspace, and high-quality infrastructure.
With Waterline, Texas’s tallest tower, set to open later this year, Forth reflects on what the project means for this fast-growing city. Looking to the next 25 years, he posits that developments like Waterline, which incorporates public open space, architectural greenery, and integrates into local transit planning, should be a model for future projects. “We think Austin should build more buildings that provide a mix of uses, link to citywide investments in infrastructure and public realm, and are literally “green” in their architecture,” writes the KPF Principal.
He contends that the city can create a strong foundation for this kind of development with three integrated approaches: a public realm vision for downtown, more development tied to green space, and greenery in high-density areas where transit is planned. He makes three policy suggestions for a denser, more livable Austin.
- Planners should promote — and developers should pursue — projects that integrate a lively ground plane and a mix of commercial, residential, hospitality, retail and dining uses, while preserving the smaller-grain details that make Austin unique.
- The city could consider allowing increased urban density adjacent to parks and open space, and streamlining the approval process for these nearby projects.
- As parts of Austin densify around future transit hubs, the city could consider offering development bonuses for projects that incorporate large, publicly accessible green spaces into their buildings.
Forth believes that public policy should support future high-density, mixed-use developments that align with municipal priorities such as greenspace, transit, and pedestrian-friendly streets cities are already investing in. In Austin, where a transformative building boom continues, alignment between private development and the public interest is vital. “Over the last quarter century, Austin has shown a remarkable ability to adapt. Better coordination between the city’s public upgrades and strategic private investment will help ensure the next 25 years are as transformative as the last.”
