land use planning for a post-pandemic...

Land Use Planning for a Post-Pandemic Society We are probably still too close to this pandemic to truly understand its effects on the built environment, but since the Master Plan will come out in late-May, we want to have something in the plan related to any longer-term effects of the pandemic on land use planning in Richmond.

Many of the questions in this questionnaire are speculative questions that even an expert in pandemics would not clearly know how to answer because we are in an extraordinary time. We really never know what the future holds – ever – even before this pandemic. We put together the questionnaire as a way to have Richmonders start thinking about what they are observing today and speculate whether or not those behaviors will be permanent shifts. This questionnaire is intended to be a conversation starter. The questions in this questionnaire seek to drive participants to ponder one major question: Do you think this pandemic will cause permanent behavioral shifts in how individuals, households, and businesses use, and relate to Richmond’s built environment? If so, how?

ABOUT YOU

Name: _____________________________________

Email: _____________________________________

Phone number: _____________________________________

This questionnaire has six sections – you do not need to complete all the sections.

1 – Population Migration and Growth Today: As of April 6, 2020, most of the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 are in dense urban areas.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will there be an out-migration of individuals out of the densest urban areas of our country (such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, etc.)?

Yes, a significant out-migration

Yes, a small out-migration

No

Other (please specify) ________________________________________

If individuals move out of the densest urban areas, where will they move to? Select up to three choices.

Very large city (over 1 million)

Large city (500k to 1 million)

Mid-sized city (101 to 500k)

Small city (equal to or less than 100k)

Suburban area

Exurban area

Rural area


From 2020 to 2030, what will the City of Richmond's annual population growth rate be?

Major decline at 1.21% (1970-1980 avg. annual decline rate)

Moderate decline at 0.74% (1980-1990 avg. annual decline rate)

Minor decline at 0.26% (1990-2000 avg. annual decline rate)

Static at 0%

Steady growth at 0.87% (2000-2019 avg. annual growth rate)

Moderate growth at 1.4% (2010-2019 avg. annual growth rate)

Aggressive growth at 2.5%


Why did you select that growth rate?

Do you have any general comments on how migration patterns may shift in a post-pandemic society?

2 – Neighborhood Form and Housing Today: The pandemic is keeping people at home.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, how will a “stay-at-home" order that may last over 10 weeks make individuals reconsider the features they want in their home and neighborhood?

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

Which features do you think individuals will want their single-family home to have in a post-pandemic society? For each one, select (absolutely yes, yes, maybe, no, absolutely no)

Absolutely yes Yes Maybe No

Absolutely no

Dedicated office space

Front/back porch

Large outdoor space

Larger home overall (min 2,000 sf)

Small outdoor space


Absolutely no

Smaller home overall (max 1,500 sf)

More bathrooms

Home gym

Victory garden (vegetable patch)

Solar panels

Chicken coop

Space for extended family to live


APARTMENT/CONDO HOMES

Which features do you think individuals will want their apartment/condo home to have in a post-pandemic society? For each one, select (absolutely yes, yes, maybe, no, absolutely no)


Absolutely no

Dedicated office space

Larger living room that could fit an office nook

Larger apartment overall (min 600-sf for 1-bedrm min 900-sf for 2-bedrm)

More bathrooms

Private outdoor balcony

Private outdoor yard

Private exercise space in the unit

Common spaces shared with other units (like a club house, exercise room, pool, etc)

Common area green space shared with other units


NEIGHBORHOOD

Which features do you think individuals will want their neighborhood to have in a post-pandemic society? For each one, select (absolutely yes, yes, maybe, no, absolutely no)


Absolutely no

Commercial area within a short walk to buy essentials and prepared food

A public park within a short walk

Sidewalks

Bike lanes

Transit within a short walk

On-street parking

Off-street parking (parking garages, alley parking, surface lots, etc.)

Neighbors with front porches

Neighborhood school

Library branch


In 2015, 56% of Richmond households lived in a single-family detached or attached home (compared to 38% in DC, 48% in Minneapolis, 60% in Pittsburgh, and 58% in Norfolk). In a post-pandemic society (say, April 2025), what percentage of Richmond households will live in a single-family home?

Less than 38%

39-48%

48-55%

56% (same as in 2015)

57-60%

More than 61%

Do you have any general comments on how neighborhood form and housing may change in a post-pandemic society?

3 – Economic Development Which local employment sectors will rebound the fastest? Select up to three choices.

Manufacturing

Logistics & Warehousing

Construction

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation

Information Technology

Public Administration

Finance and Insurance

Accommodation and Dining

Retail

Education

Professional, Scientific and Technical

Health Care

WORKING REMOTELY

Today: The pandemic is requiring many office workers to work from home (if they are still employed).

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will this be a permanent increase in teleworking by office workers?

Yes, permanent. In April 2025, office workers will telework much more than they did pre-pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, office workers will telework a little more than they did pre-pandemic

No, temporary. In April 2025, office will return to their pre-pandemic behaviors


If office workers are working remotely much more or a little more in a post-pandemic society, how do you think commercial office space demands will change?

Decrease in the amount of commercial office space per worker as employers use hot-desking strategies to allocate desk space (hot-desking is where employees don’t have specific desk but sit wherever they want when they come to the office)

Increase in the amount of commercial office space per worker because employers create more individual office space (so that a person’s germs are contained to their space)

No change in commercial office space demand as compared to pre-pandemic society


Do you have any general comments on how the nature of work may change in a post-pandemic society?

PREPARED FOODS

Today: The pandemic is requiring restaurants to shift their approach and offer carry-out and deliver meals only.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will this be a permanent change and restaurants will continue serve carry-out meals from restaurants more than they did in April 2019?

Yes, permanent. In April 2025, many more customers will buy food via carry-out and delivery services than they did pre-pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, a few more customers will buy food via carry-out and delivery services than they did pre-pandemic

No, temporary. In April 2025, customers will return to their pre-pandemic behaviors


If many more or a few more customers buy food via carry-out and delivery in a post-pandemic society, which of these design elements will remain, or become, in demand? Select up to three choices.

Drive-thru lanes for cars

Bike-thru lanes for bicycles

Walk-up windows

Reserved curb space in front of restaurants for delivery vehicles

Reserved curb space in front of restaurants for vehicles of carry-out customers

Dedicated off-street parking for delivery vehicles

Dedicated off-street parking for carry-out customers


What percentage of Richmond restaurants, cafes, bakeries, etc. that existed in March 2020 do you think will still be in business after the pandemic?

All of them (100%)

Some of them (75%)

Half of them (50%)

A few of them (25%)


If restaurant space is no longer used by the restaurant that was there in March 2019, what use do you think will fill that space after the pandemic? Select up to three choices.

Another prepared food establishment (restaurant, bakery, café, etc.)

Local store

Chain store

Brewery, cidery, winery, etc.

Exercise studio (cycling, pilates, yoga, crossfit, etc)

Service (hair salon, nail salon, dry cleaners, etc)

Doctor/dentist

Pet care/supply/veterinarian

Office

Residential unit(s)

Other (please specify) _______________

Do you have any general comments on how the restaurants and other prepared-food providers may change in a post-pandemic society?

4 – Public Open Space & Greenways Today: The pandemic is driving more people outdoors to use public open spaces and greenways, even though there have been significant “lock downs” on access to many of these places across the country.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will this be a permanent increase in use of public open spaces and greenways?

Yes, permanent. In April 2025, individuals will seek to access public open spaces and greenways much more than they did pre-pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, individuals will seek to access public open spaces and greenways a little more than they did pre-pandemic

No, temporary. In April 2025, individuals will return to their pre-pandemic behaviors


In a post-pandemic society, public open space and greenways may need to be designed differently. Do you agree with any of these ideas? Rank these 1 to 5 (1=highest priority). Please give each idea a number 1 through 5 and do not repeat the numbers.

____ Fewer items to physically touch in public spaces

____ More smaller parks (like Scuffletown Park, Patrick Henry Square, etc.)

____ More larger parks (like Monroe Park, Jefferson Park, etc.)

____ More regional parks (like Bryan Park)

____ More urban agriculture

Do you have any general comments on how public open spaces and greenways may change in a post-pandemic society?

URBAN AGRICULTURE

Today: The pandemic is driving more people to grow food on their property.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will this be a permanent increase in local home-based food production?

Yes, permanent. In April 2025, individuals will grow much more food on their property than they did pre-pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, individuals will grow a little more food on their property than they did pre-pandemic



In a post-pandemic society, urban agriculture may need to be approached differently. Do you agree with any of these ideas? Rank these 1 to 3 (1=highest priority). Please give each idea a number 1 through 3 and do not repeat the numbers.

____ Create more urban farming on public open space

____ Create urban farms on private land throughout the city

____ Create hydroponic farms in the city

Do you have any general comments on how urban agriculture may change in a post-pandemic society?

5 – Transportation

BIKING

Today: Individuals are riding their bikes more.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will there be a permanent increase in bike riding? Yes, permanent. In April 2025, individuals will bike much more than they did pre-

pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, individuals will bike a little more than they did pre-pandemic



If individuals bike much more or a little more in a post-pandemic society, which of these will we need to implement? Rank these 1 to 4 (1=highest priority). Please give each idea a number 1 through 4 and do not repeat the numbers.

____ Greenways (e.g., the Capital Bike Trial, the Canon Creek Greenway)

____ Buffered bike lanes (painted lanes with a buffer)

____ Bike lanes (painted lanes but not separated with a buffer)

____ Bike and pedestrian-only streets

Do you have any general comments on how biking behaviors may change in a post-pandemic society?

WALKING

Today: Individuals are walking more.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will there be a permanent increase in walking for pleasure and/or exercise?

Yes, permanent. In April 2025, individuals will walk much more than they did pre-pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, individuals will walk a little more than they did pre-pandemic



If individuals walk much more or a little more in a post-pandemic society, which of these will we need to implement? Rank these 1 to 6 (1=highest priority). Please give each idea a number 1 through 6 and do not repeat the numbers.

____ Greenways (e.g., the Capital Bike Trial, the Canon Creek Greenway)

____ Improved pedestrian crossings across streets

____ Sidewalks everywhere

____ Hiking trails

____ Wider sidewalks (especially in commercial areas and near parks)

____ Pedestrian-only streets

Do you have any general comments on how walking behaviors may change in a post-pandemic society?

TRANSIT

Today: Individuals are using transit less (probably mainly because they are commuting less for work because they lost their job or are working from home).

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic, will we see a permanent decrease in transit ridership for commuting?

Yes, permanent. In April 2025, individuals will commute via transit much less than they did pre-pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, individuals will commute via transit a little less than they did pre-pandemic



If individuals commute to work via transit much less or a little less in a post-pandemic society, which of these will we need to implement? Rank these 1 to 6 (1=highest priority). Please give each idea a number 1 through 6 and do not repeat the numbers.

____ Small autonomous shuttles that move people around the city in smaller vehicles (therefore fewer people and fewer germs)

____ Promote transit for non-commute trips

____ Adjust off-street parking standards

____ Develop more infrastructure to support walking

____ Develop more infrastructure to support biking

____ Encourage employers to provide transit benefits (i.e. free transit passes)

Do you have any general comments on how transit use may change in a post-pandemic society?

DRIVING

Today: Individuals are driving much less (2 miles a day, generally) because very few individuals are commuting to work by car and individuals have been issued a stay-at-home order.

Tomorrow: Pre-pandemic, 76% of commuters drive alone to work, post-pandemic, what percentage will drive alone to work?

more than 86%

80-85%

77-80%

76%

70-75%

Less than 70% will drive alone to work

Other (please specify) __________________________________

If individuals are not driving alone to work in a post-pandemic society, what are they doing? Rank these 1 to 4 (1=highest priority). Please give each idea a number 1 through 4 and do not repeat the numbers.

____ Working from home (not commuting)

____ Biking to work

____ Walking to work

____ Taking transit to work

Do you have any general comments on how driving behaviors may change in a post-pandemic society?

CURB MANAGEMENT

There are many demands for curbs pace in an urban environment. How should these users be prioritized at the curb? Select up to five choices.

Rideshare drop off

Autonomous vehicle lanes

Couriers and delivery vehicles

Bicycles and bicycle infrastructure

Parked vehicles and electric vehicle charging

Pedestrians and crossing infrastructure

Mobile vendors (e.g., food trucks)

Transit and transit infrastructure

Parklets and streetscape

ADA access

Do you have any general comments on how transportation may change in a post-pandemic society?

6 – Public Engagement/Civic involvement Today: The City cannot hold public hearings with more than 10 people and therefore must use digital engagement tools to hold meetings.

Tomorrow: Post-pandemic the City will be able to hold in-person public hearings once again; however, will we see a permanent adoption in the use of digital engagement tools (in addition to in-person engagement) for public meetings?

Yes, permanent. In April 2025, the City will use many more digital engagement tools than they did pre-pandemic

Somewhat permanent. In April 2025, the City will use a few more digital engagement tools than they did pre-pandemic

No, temporary. In April 2025, the City will return to its pre-pandemic behaviors


If the City uses many more or a few more digital engagement tools, which of these tools are the most effective in reaching community members? (for each one, select extremely effective, effective, neutral, ineffective, very ineffective)

Extremelyeffective Effective Neutral Ineffective

Extremelyineffective

Live broadcast of meeting without virtual comments from virtual attendees

Live broadcast of meeting with virtual comments from virtual attendees

Facebook Live

Zoom

WebEx

Microsoft Teams

What other digital engagement tools should the City consider using?

OTHER IDEAS

Aside from the topics covered in this questionnaire, will this pandemic cause permanent behavioral shifts in other topics areas in how individuals, households, and businesses use the built environment? What other trends or behaviors have you observed that we should think about as it relates to land use planning?

Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Please email your response to [email protected]

land use planning for a post-pandemic...

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