SAN DIEGO—Kent Aden, a licensed architect, developer and the visionary behind many of San Diego's most honored master-planned communities, was recently inducted into the San Diego Building Industry Association's Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognition is the highest honor bestowed by the organization, which comprises 800 member companies throughout San Diego County. GlobeSt.com caught up with the VP and senior development officer of HomeFed Corp. for thoughts on what is essential to master-planned communities today, what is outdated and much more.
GlobeSt.com: What do you feel is essential to master-planned communities' success today?
Kent Aden: A focus on healthy lifestyles. More than ever, the addition of trails, parks and fitness is essential. Value and security of investment remain benefits, but generally there is less focus on house and lot size, and more focus on social gathering spaces. Connectivity is a key factor, both from a technology and a planning standpoint. More variety in housing and architecture is offered as the new communities try and replicate the positives of the older classic neighborhoods.
GlobeSt.com: With land being so tight and density being the word of the day, have we seen the last of master-planned communities in Orange County and San Diego?
Aden: There is still significant housing to build out in some of the existing master-planned communities, but beyond that, it seems there will have to be a shift to urban infill and redevelopment. Outlying counties may still provide new master-planned living, but it will come with the price of a long commute. Even future phases of existing communities will be developed with more density and less of the larger lot, traditional single-family homes.
GlobeSt.com: What are some master-planned community trends that are now outdated?
Aden: Large backyards are rare and often replaced by front porch living and smaller indoor/outdoor rooms. Wide streets with a focus on moving cars are gradually being replaced by friendly pedestrian-oriented streets. Parkways and street trees are standard with monolithic curbs hopefully gone for good. There is preference for smaller neighborhood-serving retail over larger automobile-oriented retail centers. Higher density housing types will be placed closer to transit and retail in newer communities.
GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about master-planned communities?
Aden: If you have not liked what you have seen in the past, give some of the new master-planned communities a look. Times have changed and many of the newer communities are offering amenities and neighborhood character that were missing in the past. Master-planned communities still offer a more stable investment than older fragmented neighborhoods, but now offer a better lifestyle than they used to.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
