By Bilal Ahmed, Chairman and Founder of Sama Investment Group
Today, mixed-use developments are becoming an increasingly vital aspect of community planning, with their potential to integrate various aspects of daily life into one cohesive environment.
These developments, which can blend a dynamic range of residential, commercial, and recreational space are helping to shape more and more places with their wide range of benefits abundantly clear.
One of the biggest strengths of mixed-use developments is the ability to cultivate a real sense of community. Each complementary element which makes up these projects helps to foster social interaction, leading to stronger neighbourhood bonds and a sense of belonging for residents. It can also make for stronger local ties between new residents and an existing community, with a greater ability to interact together and build on an area’s local identity.
Our major development plans for Garrison Circus in Digbeth, Birmingham, are a prime example of this vision at work, with new homes and student accommodation complemented by a dynamic variety of amenities which could include shops, cafes, or a dedicated space to support the local arts industry. This will help create a link to Digbeth’s strengths as a centre for culture and creativity, as well as shops and other uses.
Meanwhile, mixed-use developments can further support local economies by encouraging spending within communities. With businesses and services located nearby, residents are more likely to shop and dine locally. This increases foot traffic for retailers and service providers, driving economic growth and creating jobs. Additionally, these developments often attract both a range of large and small, independent businesses to occupier spaces, contributing to a balanced local economy.
This strategy for development has naturally gained significant momentum in UK cities, where space is at a premium. With a national government aiming to drive forward urban regeneration, mixed-use developments provide a flexible solution to land scarcity.
It also provides a solution to inefficient land use and the environmental impact of more traditional suburban plans. Mixed-use developments provide a viable solution by concentrating housing, businesses, and amenities in a more compact area. These are also often brownfield sites which helps preserve green space areas elsewhere. At Sama Investments, we are proud to be specialists in finding brownfield sites across Britain’s regions and regenerating them through responsible, sustainable, mixed-use developments.
Through a conjoined approach the doors are also opened to shared sustainable features like green roofs, energy-efficient buildings, pocket parks, and other measures. What we have planned for Perryian Works is indicative of this approach, with beautiful green public spaces, tree planting, and water features focuses on curating areas which are comfortable, safe, visually captivating, and environmentally friendly.
At Sama Investments we see mixed-use development as a market which will only grow in the coming years, with their unique ability to create dynamic, sustainable, and economically thriving places which embed seamlessly into established local communities.
