Section 10-A900. OVERVIEW

 

900.1The Urban Design Element addresses the District’s physical design and visual qualities. The Element describes the ways in which different aspects of the city’s landscape-especially its buildings, streets, and open spaces-work together to define impressions of Washington and its neighborhoods. The design and appearance of physical space can create connections or barriers. It can create a sense of safety or a sense of discomfort. Ultimately, urban design shapes perceptions of the city, and contributes to the way people interact and experience the environment around them. 900.1

 

900.2The critical urban design issues facing the District of Columbia are addressed in this element. These include:

 

•Strengthening civic identity through a renewed focus on assets such as public spaces, boulevards, and waterfront areas • Designing for successful neighborhoods and large site reintegration

 

•Improving the public realm, particularly street and sidewalk space

 

•Addressing infrastructure and other barriers that affect aesthetic qualities

 

•Promoting design excellence throughout the city. 900.2

 

900.3Urban design is important to all American cities but has particular significance and importance in the Nation’s Capital. The city itself was designed to inspire American growth and prosperity. Streets were deliberately aligned to take advantage of natural topography and vistas, providing sites for monuments and important buildings and creating grand ceremonial spaces. 900.3

 

900.4While great attention has been focused on the design of the monumental core of the city, its basic form has been set for many years. The same attention has not been consistently provided to the rest of Washington. Although the design of the built environment inspires civic pride and a strong sense of identity in some parts of the city, it has the opposite effect in others. 900.4

 

900.5There is more that can be done to enhance Washington’s physical appearance. More of the city should benefit from the magnificent network of open spaces, waterfronts, and boulevards that is already in place. The traditional focus on the city’s symbolic identity must be matched with a greater focus on its urban identity-its identity as a city of distinct and beautiful neighborhoods. A stronger policy foundation is needed to protect the positive qualities that distinguish each of Washington’s communities while still allowing for innovative and creative design. The Urban Design Element includes diagrams to illustrate the principles suggested by its policies and actions. These diagrams are illustrative only. 900.5

 

900.6Urban design objectives are interwoven through many of the Comprehensive Plan’s Elements. In particular, the Land Use, Transportation, Environmental Protection, Historic Preservation, and Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Elements all speak to the role that design should play in shaping the future of the city. The Plan as a whole recognizes the power of good design to transform and revitalize the city and its neighborhoods. 900.6

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.