[CREATIVES] Housing, Design for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Globally, the technology revolution is still expanding, coupled by a rise in entrepreneurship in many parts of the world. With the growing interest in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, housing must advance to meet the demands of these creative individuals and families in order to enable them to succeed in their professional endeavours as well as support their future families at the same time. Maximizing one’s time requires housing that enables living and working in close proximity. There are opportunities to create diverse, mixed-use communities for both living and working in derelict or abandoned areas of cities. Cities, such as Baltimore, historically enabled people to live in close proximity to work, but due to zoning laws and flight to the suburbs, many workers spend too much time commuting and away from their families. This thesis will explore master planning, creating a place and housing types that allow for innovation and entrepreneurship within a city. By re-creating the work-life balance historically present in cities, derelict areas can have a chance at a second life. The emergence of innovation districts in many parts of the country is a precedent that shows how compact areas with various amenities and services can be established to benefit start-ups, entrepreneurs, and the whole community. Thus, mimicking cities of old.