What Communities Fear About Development
If you run to trouble with a communities resistant to slight increases in building scale and density; let’s say a five story building in a two story neighborhood. Show them this project, the ARQ in Los Angeles. The increase of a few stories will pale in comparison to this 31 story monster. I love cities and I love development and progress and urbanism, however, I am afraid that this might be labeled “gross.” Yes, I understand that the area could have been planned for a huge density increase fifty years ago and all the residents are prepared. That does not ease the burden of this image. I guess you have to start somewhere. The area to the south is Culver City and the density is significantly increasing so in a way this may be appropriate, but again, it just looks disturbing. Therefore, this project is the perfect case study that I would use to begin a community discussion. I believe that people who are not familiar with all aspects of the built environment do not know what is out there beyond their communities. It is up to us to show them what they want, but more important, WHAT THEY DO NOT WANT!
If you show them this, then your small density increase, you at least have a solid negative reference point.