Urban Areas

Urban Area Generally Applies to Strategic Growth Areas.

Virginia Beach is already experiencing urban type growth.  It has begun gradually and is occurring in defined areas located north of the Green Line such as the Resort Area and the Central Business District’s Town Center.  Following extensive public input, the City adopted a new growth strategy.  Instead of relying on the remaining inventory of undeveloped land to absorb growth, the City carefully defined areas planned to accommodate and absorb urban growth called ‘Strategic Growth Areas’ (SGAs).  Most of these areas will integrate a diverse cluster of attractive, more compact but compatible uses of land including office, retail, service, educational, cultural, open space, and, where appropriate, residential and hotel.  These areas also encourage greater use of alternative transportation systems, whether focusing on future mass transit technologies or increasing opportunities to implement programs that reduce automobile dependence.

Desired Characteristics of Urban Areas

Urban areas generally have higher density residential uses with a variety of complementary, nonresidential uses that enhance economic and cultural quality of life. Housing choices accommodate a variety of income levels and are located within walking or bicycling distance of stores, schools, play areas and work places. The challenge is to advance a set of planning principles that recognize distinct opportunities and constraints inherent in each Strategic Growth Area while acknowledging common planning principles that can be applied to all these areas.  More​​