Through connection to rural and urban spaces we can overcome sprawl | Brad Buchanan | TEDxMileHigh

The historical divide between urban and rural places

Historically, there have been two kinds of places: urban and rural
Urban places were centers for commerce, industry, technology, and innovation
Rural places were grounded and focused on food production
The urban and rural places were originally located close to each other

"Our towns and cities were the connected places, they were our centers for commerce and industry, and technology and innovation. The rural places were grounded places, they were places that produced our food. Yet, they were right next door to each other. Daily, the residents in the cities experienced that rural and grounded experience as well."

The impact of industrialization on the rural experience

Industrialization and the growth of cities pushed the rural, agrarian places further away
Slaughterhouses and farms that used to be near the downtown areas were moved out
The city became noisier and more polluted

"As those smoke stacks and industry came to our city, it pushed that rural, grounded place further away. The slaughterhouses, the farms that rimmed our city originally, that produced the food for our city, got kicked out of downtown. Our city was becoming noisier and more polluted."

The impact of suburbs on the urban-rural experience

The rise of suburbs created places that were not truly urban or rural
This created a sense of disconnect and confusion

"But suburbs produced something that wasn't either urban or rural. It wasn't connected or grounded. Something didn't quite make sense. We've been struggling with that ever since."

The need to integrate the agrarian experience into urban environments

Efforts to integrate the agrarian and rural experience into our urban environment are crucial
Collaboration between different parties, including the city, the National Western Stock Show, and Colorado State University, has led to innovative initiatives
The goal is to create a globally connected place that is locally grounded

"We need to fight the good fight and have the complex and critical conversations about how we integrate this agrarian rural experience into our urban environment. Out of it has come an amazing and complex innovation, a collaboration, a joint venture between seemingly diverse and desperate parties: the city and county of Denver, the National Western Stock Show, Colorado State University, History Colorado, and the neighborhoods that are close in to this site, Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea. They're coming up with innovations and collaborations, here for not experience, for example, ideas as far flung as international symposiums on global food production for healthy and sustainable foods for the planet."

The importance of creating connected and grounded places

The need to create places that are either urban or rural
Mixed-use, mixed-income, and mixed-generational projects are essential in dense urban environments
Residential communities should be linked to the sources of their food production and green spaces
It is about being connected to an urban environment while staying grounded in nature

"We need to create places that are either urban or rural. We need to institute the discipline to make sure that we avoid creating places that aren't either one of those things. We need to create places in our most dense urban environments that are mixed-used, mixed-income, mixed-generational projects, residential communities that are inextricably linked to the sources of their food production, and equally connected to the open space network in greenways, in parks, in waterways of our city. So that everyday those residents can have both the wonderful experience of being connected to an urban environment, but grounded to that experience of nature."

Importance of connecting rural and urban spaces

The speaker emphasizes the value of connection and overlap between rural and urban spaces.
Urban experiences can inform rural experiences, and vice versa.
A deep understanding of both urban and rural environments is crucial.
This connection can help combat urban sprawl and create balanced, sustainable communities.

"We must create places that are both urban and rural and that they must all be connected and grounded."

Transitioning from grain-fed to grass-fed cattle

The speaker attributes their expertise in sustainability to their choice of a grass-fed cattle operation instead of grain-fed.
This choice is aligned with their commitment to responsible water usage.
Technology and resources have enabled them to learn and adapt rapidly in the agriculture industry.

"That's why we are a grass-fed cattle operation, rather than a grain-fed cattle operation."

Future development at Denver International Airport

The speaker discusses the vast potential for development around Denver International Airport (DIA).
The vision includes an "airport city" and an "Aerotropolis."
The construction of a commuter rail line from Denver Union Station to DIA indicates that development is imminent.
Decisions must be made regarding the type of development desired at DIA, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planning.

"Development is coming. Absolutely. They're coming, they're interested now, and it will happen."

Density and mixed-use development at transit stations

The speaker suggests that transit stations should serve as centers of density around DIA.
The first parking spaces built around these transit stations should be part of mixed-use, mixed-income, and mixed-generational structures.
The aim is to create an urban intensity similar to what is found in the city center, promoting efficient land use.

"That our very first parking space that we build around one of these transit stations should be a parking structure and should be part of a mixed-use, mixed-income, mixed-generational; the same kind of urban intensity I spoke about before at that transit station."

Valuing rural land as much as urban real estate

The speaker emphasizes the importance of treating agricultural land around DIA with the same value as urban real estate.
Recognizing the worth of every square foot of crop land, wheat land, and native grass land is crucial.
Residential development on the Eastern plains should aim for sophistication and a mix of uses, similar to urban environments.

"We must treat every square foot of wheat land, and crop land, and native grass land around Denver International Airport as if it - and it is - just as valuable as every square foot of real estate along 17th Street."

Creating urban-rural connections in residential development

The speaker suggests that residential developments on the Eastern plains should strive for the same mix of uses and density found in urban areas.
By clustering and densifying urban units, a sense of adjacent urban and rural experiences can be created.
This approach aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural, providing a connected and grounded experience.

"We must create places that are both urban and rural, and that they must all be connected and grounded."

Future of development supported agriculture

The speaker highlights the emergence of projects centered around development supported agriculture.
Examples like Agritopia in Phoenix represent a fusion of urban and rural elements in planning.
This integration creates a future model for sustainable and connected communities.

"I believe it's the future."

Engaging with local food production and community planning

The speaker encourages connecting with local food producers and developing relationships with farmers.
Active participation in neighborhood planning meetings is crucial in shaping the future of communities.
Understanding the decisions being made and their impact on the overall experience of a place is important for creating vibrant and connected cities.

"I invite you to create a relationship with the people and places that produce your food...Get to know your farmer, for real. I ask you to attend your neighborhood planning meeting, understand the decisions that are being made about the future of your place, and how it will feel."

Creating cities of the future with heart and soul

The speaker emphasizes the possibility of creating cities with both heart and soul, while also combating urban sprawl.
By connecting rural and urban spaces and fostering a sense of groundedness, vibrant and sustainable cities can be achieved.

"We can create cities of the future with heart and soul and at the same time, create the antidote to urban sprawl."