Panelist
Panelist
Ms. Diana Rael
Principal Norris Design
Diana Rael, a licensed landscape architect and principal in the firm, has been with Norris Design since 1992. Working on multi-disciplinary projects, she has been responsible for leading a variety of complex projects using creative solutions. With her background in landscape architecture, extensive planning, and entitlement experience, she works with clients to formulate strategies that can be implemented.
Diana's philosophy is to start each project with the desired results in mind. She understands that the ongoing evaluation of planning and design and its relationship to a project's objectives is critical to achieving success. She believes in creating long-term value through project branding, identity building and the creation of a strong amenity program to meet the needs of the end user. Her strong organization and communication skills allow her to successfully lead project teams with an inclusive approach.
Speaking at
Wed May 14
2:30 PM — 3:30 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time
Cubicle Farms to Urban Charm: Reinventing Office Parks
Category
Office/Industrial
Since World War II, suburban office parks in North America have been hubs of innovation and were seen as highly sought-after employment centers. However, employment trends that began in the 1990s hit an inflection point during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to significant changes in employee/employer density in areas designed solely for employment uses. Once-respected office developments are now seen as liabilities, limiting communities' abilities to provide jobs and maintain public services. The decline in office occupancy is now becoming evident as leases expire, and few employers are stepping in to fill the gaps. Centennial, Colorado, located in the Denver metro area (population 106,883), removed regulatory hurdles by approving zoning amendments supported by real estate stakeholders. The amendments allow mixed-use and residential developments by right in former office park zones, providing new opportunities for now underused areas. This panel will discuss the challenges faced by both government and business, the community concerns that arose, and best practices incorporated into the zoning rewrite, aiming to create a more vibrant mix of employment and housing.