時代の一区切りとなるアーバインの最後のビレッジ計画

OC地元新聞OC Registerのアーバインローカル新聞"Irvine World News"より

７月１０日付の紙面は「時代の一区切りとなるアーバインの最後のビレッジ計画」。

これは、Great Parkと呼ばれるアパート、住宅、公園、スポーツ施設、小売店舗、学校からなるOC最大の都市計画開発計画である。JeffereyからSand canyonまでの間は住宅用のビレッジ、Sand canyonから133Toll roadの間は小売店舗ゾーンとして計画されている。このGreat park計画の最終ステージは2020年から2025年ぐらいとされている。

アーバインは1967年にTurtle Rockが造られて以来、「ビレッジ構想」を進めてきて現在まで１２のビレッジがあり、それぞれのビレッジ構想とは、学校、ショッピングゾーン、公園、散歩道路などを同じコミュニティの人々で共有することで連帯感を持たせるように造られている。以下がこれまで造られてきたビレッジだ。

Turtle Rock - 1967
El Camino Real - 1970
Woodbridge - 1975
Westpark -1985
Oak Creek -1998
NorthPark - 1999
Shady Canyon - 2001
Turtle Ridge - 2003
Quail Hill - 2003
Woodbury - 2004
Portola Springs - 2006
Orchard Hills- 2007

Great Parkを最後に開発される土地が残されていないため、IBC(Irvine Business Complex)と呼ばれるこれまでのインダストリーゾーンを小売と住居用にも利用できるMix zoningとして再開発が進められている。
現在、Great Park計画は、その最後のビレッジのキャラクターを決めるデザインガイドラインを構想中であるとのことである。いずれにしても、すでに別称Central Park Westと呼ばれているほど（実際はNYのセントラルパークの５－６倍の規模）緑と公園、スポーツ、カルチャーが共存した未来型セントラルパークとして全米から注目される規模のプロジェクトとなる。

Last village marks end of an era in Irvine
BY SEAN EMERY STAFF WRITER
An Irvine Co. development now working its way through the city’s planning process marks the end of an era, as officials prepare for the last of the Irvine villages. Construction of the traditional neighborhood is still years down the line, but city officials are already discussing the project’s general layout, which is expected to include a mix of homes, apartments, retail, parks and schools. The last Irvine Co. village is slated for a key piece of real estate, near the Irvine Spectrum and the Great Park. Designers say the project will also serve to combine natural areas, including the Jeffrey Open Space Trail. “Between Jeffrey and Sand Canyon is the more typical residential village,” said Mike LeBlanc, an Irvine Co. senior vice president. “In between Sand Canyon and the 133 we have more opportunities for retail and mixed use.” Councilman and Great Park Chairman Larry Agran said the development signifies the city’s “final stages of buildout,” which he expects to enter between 2020 and 2025. With no areas left for the traditional village development, the city is expected to begin focusing on apartment and condominium projects within mixed-use areas such as the Irvine Business Complex. Planning Commissioner Mary Ann Gaido noted that Irvine defines itself as “a community of villages,” each striving for its own unique character. “Because the village is focused inward, people know their neighbors, they walk the same trails, they go to the same schools and they shop the same supermarkets,” Gaido said. “It creates a community that people identify with.” City, Great Park and Irvine Co. officials say they are working closely to make sure the projects complement one another. City leaders are also pressing the Irvine Co. to include the latest in environmentally friendly building materials, link in to public transportation such the recently expanded iShuttle, and bus service in the Spectrum, and improve pedestrian and bike access to the Great Park. “We can’t be building a village that might have been suitable for the 1990s, but will not be appropriate for 2015 or 2020,” Agran said. Irvine Co. officials are also still working on the design guidelines that will create the village character, LeBlanc said, which is usually based on the area’s natural topography or setting. The project’s exact time-frame is yet to be determined, with Irvine Co. officials saying it could be a few months to a year before the next planning steps move forward. Meanwhile, the City Council is slated to take up the Irvine Co.’s zoning request on July 22. DID YOU KNOW? Irvine Co. villages timelines Turtle Rock - 1967 El Camino Real - 1970 Woodbridge - 1975 Westpark -1985 Oak Creek -1998 NorthPark - 1999 Shady Canyon - 2001 Turtle Ridge - 2003 Quail Hill - 2003 Woodbury - 2004 Portola Springs - 2006