BY BRANDI SMITH
What might be considered one of the more modern approaches to development is, it turns out, rooted in some of our near-ancient history. Mixed-use development has been around for several
centuries and is exemplified by the medieval villages that cropped up all over Europe.
The rules for constructing a lasting village between the 5th and 15th centuries were fairly simple. It ought to be compact, dense, offer multiple uses and provide limited transportation systems. Within the walls, the village must provide a community that is not just functional, but productive.
Just as it didn’t in medieval times, mixed-use development today need not focus exclusively on residential, retail or entertainment.