Office of African American Affairs
Affordable land and leasing costs, abundant fresh water, an educated workforce, low business costs and easy access to financing, technical assistance and efficient transportation have helped local businesses succeed and grow.
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Department of City Development
Urban design is the process of shaping the built environment of the City. While Architecture focuses on the design of individual buildings, urban design deals with how groups of buildings relate to one another and to the streets and public spaces they define. The Planning Division promotes best practices in urban design with the goal of creating a vibrant and walkable city with cohesive mixed-use neighborhoods connected through by a functional circulation network of streets and blocks.
The Planning Division has assembled resources intended to establish the framework for the City of Milwaukee's urban design principles with details, standards, illustrations, and examples that promote high quality, context sensitive, sustainable, market-competitive, and traditional neighborhood designs. The information includes elements that are required by zoning, and other information that highlights best practices. They seek to sustain, restore and enhance the livability, character, and stability of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods.
Design Guidelines are intended to provide urban design principles with details, standards, illustrations, and examples that promote high quality, context sensitive, sustainable, market-competitive, and traditional neighborhood designs. The information includes elements that are required by zoning, and other information that highlights best practices. They seek to sustain, restore and enhance the livability, character, and stability of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods.
The Mayor’s Design Awards are presented in an ongoing effort to recognize design excellence throughout the City of Milwaukee. Recipients have added value to their neighborhoods by restoring, constructing or enhancing their properties in a way that respects the urban fabric and contributes to the character of their surroundings.
The Planning Division reviews proposed development in most Overlay Zones, in Planned Development Districts, and in other specialized boundaries. Planning may also review projects that involve City-owned property, City financial assistance or are seeking approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Other Agencies such as the Historic Preservation Commission and Architectural Review Boards are also involved in design review.
[email protected] 414-286-5714
For information on permits and zoning letters please contact the Department of Neighborhood Services.
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