Multi-Use Development Across the U.S.

Back before automobiles dominated the streets, the makeup of cities was incredibly different. Often, residents found themselves living right across from their local grocer and just down the road from where they worked. Neighborhoods were tightknit, and there wasn’t much need for you to reach beyond the borders of your little community. Fast-forward to the early 20th century, and city designs began to paint a different picture. As vehicles became more accessible to the average American, the distance between where you live, where you work and where you play no longer mattered. Neighborhoods began to split and were zoned strictly for residential, commercial or industrial. And forevermore, the overlap between these zones ceased to exist. That is, until recent years.

For the past few decades, cities across the U.S. have been making a concentrated effort to revitalize once defunct portions of their community. These city governments are implementing what is known as multi-use (or mixed-use) development to attract a new and younger crowd of residents. Multi-use development harkens back to the time before the demand for vehicles was so high. Instead, multi-use development opts to both combine multiple zones into one piece of property and rezone districts to not only focus on one type of development. The resurgence of multi-use communities is leading to the growth of city districts with a greater sense of community and environmental care.

What is Multi-Use Development?

Multi-use development encompasses several ideas. The first of which is the most literal definition: multi-use development is when a project site incorporates multiple zones as part of its development. Commonly, you see properties utilizing the ground floor as a shop or commercial center while upper floors are residential. Multi-use development is also the idea of a neighborhood with a mix of different zones. For example, you can find residential, commercial and industrial buildings all within a few blocks of each other. You may also recognize multi-use development as a key component of the New Urbanism trend.

How Does Multi-Use Development Help Your City?

While living near where you work and shop sounds like a novel idea, multi-use development offers benefits beyond convenience. Through the use of multi-use development, the quality of housing will increase, the environment begins to improve and the bonds with your neighbors strengthen.

  • Better for the Environment
    • Rather than multiple houses and businesses individually using gas, water and electricity, a fewer amount of properties share the collective load.
    • Close proximity to everything allows pedestrians to commute via walking, bike or public transport. Thus, with fewer fuel emissions, the air quality is cleaner.
    • Often, multi-use development designs incorporate plenty of greenery and alternative energy resources. In turn, this helps to promote a healthier living space and environmental conservation.
  • Better for Your Wallet
    • Reducing gas usage and overall car maintenance. With less driving, helps individuals save thousands of dollars each year.
    • An increase in living quality in a neighborhood means an increase in home and property quality for residents.
    • By shopping at businesses part of your multi-use development, the money you spend goes directly back into your property and community.
  • Better for Your Relationships
    • Plazas, parks and other spaces encourage community engagement through the act of socialization.
    • Entertainment and cultural sites are all part of multi-use development. Such venues allow you to connect with friends, family and neighbors.
    • Living so close to one another helps neighbors build relationships with those around them.

Peoria’s Own Multi-Use Development

Peoria is not unfamiliar when it comes to concepts such as multi-use development. For the past decade, Peoria has taken to revitalizing its historic Warehouse District with multi-use development and new urbanism in mind. The idea of the Warehouse District was to allow locals working at companies such as Caterpillar, the local hospitals, Bradley University and other locations to be close to their places of employment. While not all of these businesses are a simple walk away, all of them are easily accessible to public transport.

Additionally, the Warehouse District incorporates plenty of shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. You can watch the Peoria Rivermen at Dozer Park, adjacent to the Warehouse District. And not too far, you can experience some of Peoria’s nightlife down Southwest Water Street. You’ll also find parks, museums and other local attractions all in and around the Warehouse District. And of the local businesses in proximity to the Warehouse District, Austin Engineering is one of them!

Learn More

Whether a single property or a small community, there’s a lot of work that goes into creating a successful multi-use development. If interested in how else multi-use development can revitalize your city, give the experts at Austin Engineering a call. Not only do our civil engineers work on matters involving multi-use development on a local level, but we also contribute to the growth of cities throughout the country.

If interested in the work Austin Engineering does, you can contact us today at (309) 228-9552. Also, our Peoria office is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

The Future of Land Surveying

The profession of land surveying has a long and storied history. From Ancient Egypt to modern times, the need for surveyors has always been there. However, in today’s modern age, we’ve developed more accurate and efficient methods for performing land surveys. As such, Austin Engineering has been leading the charge by implementing drone technology to provide as precise an estimate for your land as possible. Through our advanced surveying methods, we’ve become one of the most reliable surveying companies throughout Central Illinois. But what makes drones so unique, regarding surveying? Continue reading to learn more!

What is Land Surveying?

If you aren’t familiar with the land surveying profession, a quick explanation is it’s a central component to building, real estate and land ownership. Specifically, land surveying is when licensed surveyors perform a complete assessment of a piece of land. Depending on the extent of the surveying, we discover the land’s boundaries, topography, elevation, natural resources, elevation above ground level and more.

When Did Land Surveying Get its Start?

As far back as 1,400 B.C., land surveying was a common part of civilization. Often, surveying was done to determine the taxing of plots of land. However, in those days, land surveying wasn’t much more complicated than stretching a rope between two places and noting the length. And in Ancient Egypt, land surveying was utilized to measure out and level the land the Great Pyramids occupy.

Throughout the centuries, land surveyors developed more extravagant tools, so to increase the accuracy and range of their abilities. Innovations made by the Chinese, Greeks and Europeans led to the expansion of the surveying field to what it is today. There were even some important figures throughout history who were land surveyors themselves. William the Conqueror utilized surveying to create records of the plots of land he took in what was called the Domesday Book. Fast forward to the founding of our nation, and you’d be surprised to discover our very own George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both land surveyors, too! Indeed, land surveying has played an essential role throughout history.

How Has Land Surveying Advanced?

While it’s fun to reminisce on surveying practices of old, land surveyors have made incredible strides to make it to the point we are at today. Over the last several years, with the availability of drones coming to prominence, our land surveyors have begun using this unique tech to get a “lay of the land” better.

Surveyors equip drones with different sensors and cameras that help them take various measurements. A surveyor can then evaluate and decipher these measurements and pictures to create 2D and 3D orthomosaic maps, thermal maps, 3D models and more.

The Advantages to a Drone Survey

Drones allow professional surveying companies, like Austin Engineering, to provide their clients with a fuller picture of measurements for their property. Furthermore, drones allow faster implementation of surveying and can help cut down on costs. Some advantages to drone surveying include:

  • Fewer Surveyors: Surveying projects no longer require large teams of professionals to complete a job. Now, we only need a handful of surveyors and a drone to complete a job.
  • Faster Surveys: With fewer surveyors for a project, we can perform a job faster than ever. Drones allow us to cover large areas in a matter of minutes. Thus, we can accomplish more surveys on any given day.
  • Reduction of Cost: Any costs we associate with labor and equipment we drastically reduce after the implementation of drone technology.
  • Increased Accessibility: Not every part of a piece of land is easily accessible. However, with a drone, inaccessibility is no longer a concern. Drones can fly close to the ground and reach areas of varying topography with ease.
  • Safety: Before, surveyors had to make their way across a property, sometimes with the risk of harm due to uneven land or dangerous environmental conditions. Now, drones allow surveyors to stay in one place while performing a survey.
  • Accuracy: Above all else, a drone survey is one of the most accurate methods of surveying to date. Drones allow surveyors to gather an incredible amount of data. Moreover, with drones providing a top-down view of a piece of land, surveyors can see more of a piece of property than ever before.

Request a Survey of Your Own

Austin Engineering, a leading civil engineering firm and land surveying company, can help you with your next surveying project. We possess two full-service survey teams to provide fast, efficient and comprehensive surveying of any kind. And, as we utilize drone technology ourselves, you know you are getting the most accurate survey possible. We have experience performing numerous survey projects throughout Central Illinois and several areas outside the state.

If you’re interested to see what our drones can do for you, give Austin Engineering a call today. You can contact our surveyor team at 309-204-0694. Also, our main office is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

Prepare Your Property with the Necessary Entitlements

The purchase of land is often followed up by the development of the property. After all, few people buy land intending to do nothing with it. However, jumpstarting the development process isn’t a simple task. Before you can begin to build on your recently acquired land, site entitlements are required. Once you can secure these site entitlements, the real land development begins.

What Are Site Entitlements?

Site entitlements, also called land entitlements, are meant to establish what can and can’t be done with a piece of property. During the legal process of securing entitlements, a developer discusses with the governing municipality what they are allowed to construct. Entitlements are often long and detailed, specifying the exact usage for your purchased land. Various tests and surveys are conducted on your property to determine what’s best for the community, city and environment. Entitlements are the most critical piece to any land development, as they can either make or break your project right from the start.

Where to Get Started

  • The entitlement process starts with a plan of action and consultation with your design team, which should include the professionals at Austin Engineering. You should have a general idea of what you’re trying to build in advance of meeting with your design team. Moreover, your planning should be conscious of local zoning regulations, the environmental impact of a project, laws, etc.
  • Once your plans are in place, it’s time for review. To earn the necessary entitlements, you must present your idea to those in charge of your area’s development. The ultimate reviewing body changes from location to location, but the process always stays the same. The board in charge of your review will put your plan to the test and determine whether it can go forward.
  • Sometimes your plan can be rejected, but there’s no need to fret just yet. You now can adjust your plan and resubmit it for appeal. The review board will most likely outline why it was rejected in the first place so that you can make the proper tweaks.
  • Assuming you’ve passed either the initial review or the appeal process, your plan can progress to the next steps. Now, it’s time to take your plan to the next level. Austin Engineering will put together the layout of your finalized project. This design is then also presented to the deciding group for your development, and it passes along to the final review.
  • Your plan and design can pass every test, but if it does not get approval from the local community, you’ll have to go back to the drawing board. Public sessions will be held to present your idea for development to the residents who will be most affected by it. Upon receiving feedback from the neighborhood, a final vote of approval will occur to determine whether you can finally begin construction.

Why Are Site Entitlements Necessary?

As stated previously, you can’t begin construction on your project without the proper site entitlements in order. However, site entitlements aren’t intended to draw out the development process. There are plenty of good reasons why entitlements are required.

  • Site Entitlements ensure all parties to be involved in your development are in agreement. By keeping the city government, local transit infrastructure, the environmental protection agency and other departments on the same page, you make sure your project goes off without a hitch.
  • By keeping your community involved in the process of your development, it helps to promote its success. Any feedback you receive from residents can go back into your project and allow it to become as beneficial to the community as possible.
  • If there are any problems with the land you are developing, you find out before construction begins. In the long run, you can save hundreds of thousands of dollars with the help of entitlements. Land entitlements are put in place just as much for your protection as the protection of the city.

Begin Your Entitlement Process

A site entitlement process can be incredibly complex and demanding. Often the process can take, at minimum, three months. Or, at maximum, you could be working on entitlements for a year or more! However, with the right company handling your site entitlements, you can be sure to keep that time restraint much lower. As such, Austin Engineering has the team you need to secure the necessary site entitlements your development requires.

Austin Engineering has contributed to the growth of commercial, industrial and residential infrastructure around the country for the last 80 years. Our experience and expertise have led us to become leaders in civil engineering, landscape design and surveying. Through our civil engineering consulting, we can ensure to get your site entitlements on the right track. In no time, you’ll see your latest building designs come to life.

If interested in the work Austin Engineering can do for you, call us today at 309-228-9553. Also, our headquarters is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

Streambank Erosion and How We Can Prevent It

Keeping our water systems clean and free of debris should be a significant concern for those who manage the properties and infrastructures of a town or city. While there are methods that keep stormwater at bay, like permeable pavement and underground detention systems, sometimes simple construction and development can affect nearby water sources. For example, creeks or streams running through your community. A significant concern for every property owner with water flowing through their land is streambank erosion.

What is Streambank Erosion?

Streambank erosion is an incredibly common phenomenon in communities with lakes, rivers, creeks and streams. Simply put, streambank erosion is when the flow of water becomes too powerful for the banks of a creek or stream to contain. As a result, the water will carry sediments and debris from the streambank and into primary sources of water. Streambanks become weak due to the force of water flow or the loss of vegetation around the sides of the water.

How Does Streambank Erosion Occur?

Sometimes, the natural changes in temperature, water flow or the environment lend to the occurrence of streambank erosion. However, in the case of property development, human-made structures also contribute to the effects of erosion. It can be as simple as a shift in the soil due to construction that causes plant life along the banks of a stream to recede. Other times, dams and levees, which can reroute and increase the flow of water, can cause significant erosion to occur.

Top Concerns of Streambank Erosion

You might be wondering, “So what if streambank erosion occurs? Nature is always changing!” While this may be a true sentiment, streambank erosion can be more harmful than you initially realize.

  • Harmful Algal Blooms – Algae growth is a regular occurrence for any body of water. However, too many algae growing, called “harmful algal bloom,” can produce excess toxins in a body of water. Thus, the water becomes unhealthy for fish, wildlife and humans. The increase in the growth of algae has been linked to high amounts of phosphorus in the water. In turn, the source of this phosphorus comes from streambank erosion.
  • Interferes with Wildlife – Additionally, the fallen debris and soil into a creek or stream can vastly change the ecosystem. Fish may no longer be able to grow and thrive, and various plant life may cease to be. Thus, wildlife becomes displaced, looking for another source of food and water.
  • Unstable Ground – The land around creeks and streams can also become dangerous to be around as streambank erosion occurs. When plants begin to disappear, their roots no longer hold soil into place. As a result, the ground near streams becomes unstable and more prone to mudslides or landslides in lousy weather.

How Can We Prevent Streambank Erosion?

Although streambank erosion is a problem that plagues most any property with water running through it, it’s a problem that can be resolved with some focused attention. Overall, by addressing the leading causes of streambank erosion, we  can reverse and eventually repair it.

  • New Planting – In the absence of plant life, we can attempt to restore vegetation around a stream or creek’s banks. The roots of vegetation strengthen the soil and prevent it from being carried away by the flow of water.
  • Strengthening of Banks – If new plant life doesn’t seem to be taking hold, strengthening the banks of the streams via more manual methods may become necessary. By incorporating rock riprap (rock buildups on the banks), gabions (rocks in wire baskets on the sides of a stream) and other methods, the soil will no longer fall away from the banks.
  • Reducing the Flow – If the cause of streambank erosion are human-made structures redirecting the flow of water, more strategically placed structures can be the solution. Using rocks and logs does more to create a natural reroute of water and can stabilize the flow of a stream to be less detrimental to its banks.

Erosion Prevention Strategies from Professionals

Ultimately, hiring the right company to address your streambank erosion is the best method for ensuring you can truly resolve the issue. Thankfully, Austin Engineering is well versed in all manner of erosion prevention. Our knowledge of landscape design and water management have made us the choice company for creating efficient water control systems. If you want to get a handle on your streambank erosion right away, allow our civil engineers and landscape architects to help you with your property.

To learn more about water erosion and the effects it can have on the environment, give the professionals at Austin Engineering a call. You can contact us today at 309-228-9553. Also, our headquarters is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

The Best Features of Effective Commercial Property Landscape Design

Times are rapidly changing, and keeping up with what’s popular is imperative if you wish to see your business thrive. However, more than business practices or services offered, the exterior and landscape of your facility are what draw in new clients and customers. First impressions mean everything to a successful business. Thus, by presenting a beautiful, green and multifunctional landscape design for your facility, you are keeping up with the trends and appeasing all those who visit your business. So, what are the most popular additions you can make to your landscape design in 2019? As experts in the field of commercial landscaping, Austin Engineering can provide some insight.

Environmentally Friendly Garden Ideas

The first step to the beautification of any property involves the inclusion of flowers and gardens. However, a garden can do more than look good. One such example of a multi-functional garden is a pollinator garden. During the spring and into summer, pollinator gardens not only offer a lovely view but help the local bee population and other pollinator animals.

Additionally, gardens are advantageous when looking to reign in erosion and protect the local water quality. Instead of rains carrying soil and other contaminants back into your water supply, gardens can intercept much of that water. Plants keep dirt in place and use their roots as a filtration system for water, thus improving its overall quality.

Well Placed Outdoor Lighting

When night begins to fall, is your property well lit? Keeping the lights on day and night is a crucial concern of most businesses. The best way to manage a landscape design with plenty of lighting is to utilize LED light fixtures. Compared to traditional lighting options, LED provide a higher light output as well as reduced energy consumption.

Even with less traditional businesses, like apartment complexes or hotels, efficient lighting is imperative to the safety and convenience of your guests, residents, clients, etc. Well-lit facilities decrease the chance for accidents to take place and lower the risk of crime. Moreover, LED lighting uses less energy for a brighter light, saving you money while helping the environment.

Plenty of Seating

If you put effort into making your landscaping beautiful and unique, you should also offer opportunities for visitors and employees to admire it. By placing areas for seating around your exterior, you invite individuals to connect with the environment. Whether as an area for social interaction or a quiet get-away, seating areas are essential to your landscape design.

For employees, being stuck inside all day can become tiresome and depressing. However, by placing benches or chairs around your landscaping and away from the hustle and bustle, you allow your workers a chance to relax and recharge. Or, coupling seating arrangements with other fixtures like firepits or grills creates a social atmosphere both guests and employees can take advantage of once the workday concludes.

Parks and Office Spaces Combined

Ultimately, the goal of commercial landscaping design trends is to create a space where both work and play can occur. Most businesses look to develop an area where people wish to gather and stay. Whether through beautiful and functional gardens, well-lit environments or places to sit and relax, businesses’ landscaping designs are becoming the hotspots of cities around the country. And Austin Engineering is at the forefront of efficient and stunning commercial landscaping design.

Austin Engineering’s team of civil engineers and landscape experts develop breathtaking designs for businesses throughout Illinois and all of the United States. Not only do we look to improve the image of your facility’s exterior, but we work to provide a landscape that is both self-sustaining and environmentally friendly. Our recent design of The Foundry in Bloomington, IL and improvements at the ATS North Peoria, IL campus are testaments to the sustainability and creativity we can achieve in all the work we do.

To learn more about Austin Engineering and how we can help you achieve the perfect commercial landscape design, contact us today at (309) 228-9552. Also, our Peoria office is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

The First Step to the Land Development Process: Site Feasibility Studies

The land development process comes down to one key factor: the land you use. The basis for all land development is, most obviously, the property you wish to purchase and whether it can support the process going forward. So, the first goal for all investors involved in development is to determine if the land they are looking to buy is worth the cost; this is where site feasibility studies come in. To best assess the property you wish to use, civil engineers can conduct site feasibility studies.

What are Site Feasibility Studies?

Site feasibility studies set out to answer the essential questions for a piece of property. For example, these studies uncover any potential hazards, whether the land can support construction and whether or not utilities are readily available. Ultimately, a feasibility study will determine whether it is profitable for you to utilize the piece of land in question.

The Coverages of a Study

When pressing forward with a site feasibility study, it should address certain crucial aspects of the property you wish to purchase. Those aspects include zoning, building codes, existing conditions and your budget.

Zoning

Depending on where your land is located, it may be zoned for either commercial or residential usage. Finding a property that is already zoned correctly for your project is an incredible boon to your development. However, if looking to have your property rezoned, that can be a significant undertaking with your local city government. Zoning can also affect building restrictions, such as the maximum height of construction or property lines.

Building Codes

In addition to restrictions in place by zoning, building codes establish more rules for construction. Building codes are required by law to allow for better ease of access and ensure any finished project is safe. For example, laws require a specific amount of exits for your building based on the number of people expected to be in it. Other building codes have to do with stairs, elevators, ramps, emergency exits and more.

Existing Conditions

The existing conditions of a property can both relate to a lot with no construction or one with previous development. In terms of a piece of land without any prior structure, a study will inform you of what the existing environmental conditions are. Such environmental conditions consist of topography, water capacity, environmentally sensitive areas and other factors. Conversely, when dealing with property previously developed on, a study will determine if old construction is up-to-code, if it’s structurally sound and more.

Budget

Finally, a site feasibility study will present you with a price needed to ensure you can approve a property for use. Some of these fees require upfront payment to move forward with a project (like rezoning). Other costs are a projection of what you must consider when developing your land (like contending with building codes). Overall, if a study presents you with a budget you can manage, the property is considered feasible to begin development on.

Typical Steps Taken

To do a complete site feasibility study, civil engineers conduct various tasks to answer the questions asked of investors and determine the overall budget of a project. Some of these tasks include:

  • Taking client requirements into consideration
  • Performing a geotechnical study
  • Identifying the usage of neighboring land
  • Discovering easements and other property disputes
  • Finding what utilities can or are already available
  • Investigating what environmental impact a project will have
  • Putting together a projected budget

Find the Right Company for Your Site Feasibility Studies

As a site feasibility study will determine the direction of your entire land development process, you can consider it the most crucial step. Thus, you want the most experienced civil engineers and land surveying professionals handling your study for you. Thankfully, Austin Engineering is up to the task.

Austin Engineering offers high-quality assessments for any development projects you’re looking to undertake. Furthermore, we are experts in land development, land surveying and landscape design. Our clients not only reside in Illinois and the surrounding states, but we serve national developers throughout the United States.

If you’re looking for a site feasibility study you can count on, call the professionals at Austin Engineering today. You can contact us at (309) 228-9552. Also, our Peoria office is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

Sustainability and Beauty at The Foundry in Bloomington

As of April of 2019, construction was completed on the new shopping center in Bloomington, IL called The Foundry. This new retail site is home to three Bloomington favorites: Bloomington Cycle and Fitness, Gingerbread House and Green Top Grocery. Local architects and contractors contributed to the construction of The Foundry; however, Austin Engineering completed the landscape architecture design. The landscape design done for The Foundry was an environmentally conscious effort. Austin Engineering was able to meet traditional site requirements through non-traditional measures.

Reduction of Maintenance

The first goal of the landscape project was to enable the property to not require an incredible amount of maintenance. We met this requirement through careful selection of pavement and planting materials. The detention basins employ all native plantings, which can handle being submerged underwater and don’t need mowing. Additionally, we used layers of native perennials, shrubs and trees around the basins, on the parking lot medians and in the retail center courtyards. The incorporation of this vegetation around The Foundry will mean less long-term landscaping and lower mowing costs.

Stormwater Management

Another key aspect of an environmentally friendly landscape design is the stormwater management system in place. We were conscious of the handling of stormwater using ADA compliant gravel in the courtyard. The gravel is more permeable, so water can flow through it rather than shedding directly into a storm drain. The gravel also acts as a flexible pavement, which lowers long-term pavement maintenance costs. Moreover, as permeable pavement, it helps to filter stormwater as it reaches natural aquifers underground.

Pedestrian Friendly

We chose the gravel not only for its permeability and aesthetic charm but for its compatibility with bicyclists and wheelchairs. Being that The Foundry would be home to Bloomington Cycle and Fitness, ensuring bikes could safely and efficiently traverse the property was a top concern. As well, we took into consideration the amount of foot traffic an area like The Foundry would receive. With proximity to The Constitution Trail, we understood a large number of walkers, joggers and bikers would be passing through. In response, the design of the landscaping had a park theme in mind. The idea of the theme was so that families and individuals could find a comfortable rest-stop right off the trail.

Corten steel planters placed around the site of The Foundry in Bloomington IL

Visually Appealing

To pull the entirety of the development together, we made sure to provide a landscape design that offered seasonal interest and complimented the colors and style of The Foundry architecture. Using custom Corten steel planters, we supplied a beautiful standing feature that will weather to a rustic color over time. The planting of a series of maple trees with cinnamon red, exfoliating bark continue with the rustic monochromatic color scheme. The color of the trees’ bark helps to connect the landscaping with the red brick buildings and Corten steel that surround it. Finally, large cream-colored flat top boulders were placed around the property. These boulders act as accents to the courtyard and provide additional seating.

Only at Austin Engineering

The recent completion of our landscape architecture design for The Foundry embodies the mission of Austin Engineering. With every design we create, our goal is to not only build something pleasing to the eye but beneficial for nature. The Foundry’s landscape is a sustainable development that provides benefit for the environment and a uniquely inviting ambiance for the people who visit it. As is with every project we undertake, we work to achieve the vision of those who hire us and do everything in our power to reach that goal.

To find out what other projects Austin Engineering has contributed to throughout Illinois, you can contact us at (309) 228-9552. Also, our Peoria office is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

A Thoughtful Approach to Streetscape Design

Some of the largest cities in the US; New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago; all have something in common: smart streetscape design. It might not be something you commonly think about, but you and your neighborhood’s streetscape design interact often. The moment you pull out of your driveway or take your dog for a walk, you are taking advantage of your local streetscape. However, a streetscape is much more than the pavement under your feet.

What’s Streetscape?

When considering streetscape, it’s not only your road and sidewalk. A streetscape is a combination of everything visible from the street: lighting, buildings, architecture, greenery, and more. Everything around you contributes to the personality of your neighborhood and thus is part of the overall streetscape design.

What Does an Efficient Streetscape Design Do?

While no two streetscapes are the same, the best-designed ones all contribute to a neighborhood or subdivision in various ways. Civil engineers and landscape architects work together to help streetscape design achieve specific goals, such as:

  • Visually Appealing – Streetscapes often consider the surrounding architecture and make a design that visually compliments already existing structures. The choices in street design could be as simple as more shrubbery or as extensive as different road materials.
  • Safe – A smart streetscape design often ensures the safety of everyone. Wide lanes, buffers between the street and sidewalk, thoughtfully placed streetlights and more all contribute to the wellbeing of drivers and pedestrians alike.
  • Green – Greener incentives push to create a healthier environment for all those living in a neighborhood. Features like LED lighting for street lamps and stoplights contribute to energy-efficiency. Additionally, more vegetation helps to keep the air clean and your lungs healthy.
  • Accommodating – Above all, streetscape design must make it easy to navigate. Features like dual lanes, public transportation, bike lanes, crosswalks and more all make it simple to make it from place to place. A smart streetscape design not only accommodates cars but pedestrians as well.

Features of Excellent Streetscape Design

So, what makes up a streetscape you can admire? There are numerous features you might find part of a well-designed street, like:

  • Pedestrian Features – By creating more curb space, you allow for greater room for pedestrians to walk and interact. This is especially helpful for busy streets lined by businesses. Providing seating, waste disposal, greenery and more encourage people to visit these streetscapes.
  • Bus Access – Allowing for plenty of bus stops, with quick and easy access to businesses, is another great feature of proper streetscape design. Some streets will have dedicated bus lanes, extended curbs for bus stops and other features advantageous to public transport.
  • Speed Control – To minimize car accidents and keep pedestrian safe, streets may have various speed control features. Speed humps, speed cushions and traffic lights all contribute to preventing vehicles from speeding and walkers from getting in harm’s way.
  • Stormwater Management – Keeping rain and storms from impeding travel is another vital aspect of streetscape design. Stormwater management, such as bioswales, flow-through planters and permeable pavement all help keep water flowing away. Also, they integrate water back into the ecosystem cleanly and efficiently.

While these are a few of the main features that contribute to a smart streetscape design, there are plenty of other aspects that add to the health, safety and convenience of your neighborhood’s streets.

The Streetscape Experts

Creating a proper streetscape is no easy feat. However, Austin Engineering has an incredible amount of experience with various streetscape designs. Our civil engineers and landscape architects contribute to the streetscapes of cities throughout all Central Illinois. Moreover, our designs provide greener solutions and present a streetscape that both vehicles and pedestrians can share harmoniously.

To learn more about the work Austin Engineering has done, you can contact us at (309) 228-9552. Also, our Peoria office is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

The Human Touch of New Urbanism

In today’s day and age, where we have progressed to be the most technologically advanced species on earth, it is not us who controls the layouts of our cities, but the very technology we promote: automobiles. Much of a city’s design you can contribute to the rise of cars before World War II. Most of our cities are sectioned off into large areas of residential, commercial and industrial zones. Much of the time, the only way to get from one place to another is by hopping into a vehicle.

However, a movement of smarter city design was born in the 1980s: new urbanism. This movement harkens back to a time were automobiles didn’t rule our lives. New urbanism is the latest trend cities and towns are adopting, so to revitalize large and defunct areas. The idea of new urbanism design is simple: we should build cities for the primary use of humans, not machines.

New Urbanism: What Is It?

New urbanism is the design process which we create cities, towns or neighborhoods more efficiently for personal usage. The development of new urbanism design is counter to the spread-out, one zone designs of typical “modern” cities. By utilizing new urbanism, architects and civil engineers incorporate what used to consist of a standard development plan. We intertwine residential with commercial and industrial, with plenty of options for walking or biking, lots of natural landscaping and a central public area. The idea of new urbanism design is to be able to make your way from the outer edges of development to the center in a matter of minutes, without the need for a vehicle.

Why Use New Urbanism Design?

It’s popular to bring back what’s retro, so why not bring back our old design process for neighborhoods and subdivisions? But the “retro” factor isn’t the only thing driving cities to adopt new urbanism design when expanding and revitalizing. There are definite advantages to the health of both your city and its residents.

  • Mixed-Use – Walking down the road, you can have an apartment building, home, office and storefront all next to each other. New urbanism neighborhoods are excellent for mixing individuals and families of all ages, races, cultures and incomes.
  • Reduced Transport – The point of new urbanism design is so you can walk from the edge of a subdivision and make it to the center in no more than 10 minutes. There’s no need to hop into your car for every activity or chore.
  • Increased Health – Two more bi-products of reduced transportation are also beneficial for your health. Reduced vehicle emissions keep pollution in your neighborhood down, and a more active lifestyle keeps your body in better shape.
  • Nature Centric – Greenery and natural landscaping are key to the vision of a new urbanism design. Public gathering places utilize beautiful shrubbery and modern art installations to encourage locals to gather in such areas, creating a sense of unity and harmony.

The Mission of New Urbanism

Although automobiles have come to be a staple of modern society, new urbanism looks to reduce the role cars play in our lives. Most cities are set up in a manner that facilitates large areas of residential, commercial and industrial zones, with roads and highways set between them. These city designs lead to a reliance on our vehicles. The drawback to such designs increases auto emissions and congests traffic. However, through new urbanism design, cars take a back seat to bikes or walking. By designing a neighborhood where work, groceries, entertainment and more are all within a short distance of your home, we begin to reserve vehicle usage only for long-trips and special occasions. Automotive buying and maintenance isn’t something everyone can afford to do, so why create a society that revolves around it?

What Are We Doing to Help?

Austin Engineering, a civil engineering company out of Peoria, IL and Davenport, IA, takes significant steps towards designing a future where new urbanism is the national standard. We help cities design and develop new subdivisions with an eye to green solutions and mixed-use property development. Our engineers and landscape architects understand there’s still a place for public transportation and personal vehicles. However, we also wish to enable every person the same comfort and ease as their neighbors.

If you’re interested in some of the work Austin Engineering has done, you can contact us at (309) 228-9552. Also, our Peoria office is located at 311 SW Water St, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.

Solving Stormwater Pollution with Permeable Pavement

As is apparent in the state of Illinois and throughout the United States, stormwater management is an issue of late. Due to the increase in storms this season, the stormwater runoff for cities is higher than ever. Why this becomes a problem has much to do with the fact that this runoff from the cities becomes polluted. Stormwater has nowhere to go when it lands on streets and pavement. Thus, it carries itself to the nearest river, stream or storm drain, where it integrates back into nature, carrying any pollutants it picks up along the way. However, there exists a better method to handle stormwater, preventing it from becoming polluted and letting it integrate back into a more natural cycle: permeable pavement.

What is Permeable Pavement?

Permeable pavement is a new method for which roads, parking lots, pathways and more are paved. Much of what you see with permeable pavement is the same as typical pavement, however with one significant advantage: water can flow through it. Permeable pavement is made up of two parts: a permeable top and a porous base.

  • When water hits the pavement, it flows through the material, becoming filtered from solid materials in the process.
  • The water then trickles down through a bed of rocks, gravel or another easily permeable base, until it reaches the soil underneath.
  • There, the water recharges until the earth naturally reabsorbs it.

How Does it Help?

Before, with regular pavement or asphalt, water would hit the surface and roll into the nearest water source, carrying every material and pollutant it ran across with it. However, with the implementation of permeable pavement, water is off the road faster. Moreover, when it seeps through the pavement, the material filters it of harmful pollutants, much as soil does. By creating a way for our roads to stay intact but providing a more natural approach to store and disperse stormwater, we leave a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

 Other Benefits of Permeable Pavement

The aftereffects of permeable pavement’s process are felt further throughout the environment and the socioeconomic world. Firstly, from an environmental standard, permeable pavement:

  • Creates cleaner water supplies
  • Improves the health of wildlife
  • Reduces the chances for flooding
  • Lowers the possibility of drought
  • Produces healthier drinking water

Additionally, permeable pavement offers other benefits that better suit the infostructure of a city. The design and implementation of permeable pavement are advantageous and several ways, due to it:

  • Reducing the amount of heat that collects on the surface of the pavement
  • Eliminating the chances of the roads freezing over in cold weather
  • Combining both stormwater management and roadways into one, no longer requiring the installation of other stormwater management methods
  • Saving money by taking away the need for extra piping, drains, retention ponds and swales
  • Creating green jobs through its installation and maintenance

Overall, regular pavement requires you to develop extraneous stormwater management systems in addition to the designing, grading and building of roads. Conversely, permeable pavement can cost a little more than regular pavement but saves more money when you take stormwater management out of the equation.

Make a Commitment to Permeable Pavement

After learning about the existence of permeable pavement and its numerous advantages to regular pavement, you must want to implement it into your next project. Thankfully, when the planning stages begin, Austin Engineering can create a design with permeable pavement and other green solutions in mind.

Austin Engineering Co. works to provide professional civil engineering consulting and professional land surveying services throughout the Midwest. Since 1937, we’ve played an integral role in developing various towns and cities, most notably the Greater Peoria area. Together we work with contractors to come up with greener and energy efficient solutions to your most significant building projects.

For permeable pavement and a greener push in your next development venture, contact us at 309-204-0694. Also, we are located at 311 SW Water Street, Ste 215, Peoria, IL 61602.