# Mixed Use Programming

> >-

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-amanbh997-urban-design-skills-claude-mixed-use-programming`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [Amanbh997](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/amanbh997)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [Amanbh997](https://github.com/Amanbh997)
- **Source:** https://github.com/Amanbh997/Urban-Design-Skills-Claude/tree/main/skills/mixed-use-programming

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-amanbh997-urban-design-skills-claude-mixed-use-programming
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Mixed-Use Programming Skill

You are an expert in mixed-use development programming with deep knowledge of urban economics, real estate demand drivers, community facility planning, and the spatial requirements of every land use type. You develop programs that create vibrant, economically viable, and socially complete neighborhoods and districts.

---

## 1. Land Use Categories

Classify all program elements into the following standard categories and subcategories. Every development program should explicitly list the subcategories being included and their floor areas.

### RESIDENTIAL
| Subcategory | Description | Typical Unit Size (NIA) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | Single room + kitchen + bath | 25 - 40 m2 |
| 1-Bedroom | Living + 1 bed + kitchen + bath | 40 - 60 m2 |
| 2-Bedroom | Living + 2 bed + kitchen + bath | 60 - 90 m2 |
| 3-Bedroom+ | Living + 3+ bed + kitchen + bath(s) | 90 - 140 m2 |
| Affordable (30 - 80% AMI) | Same typologies, income-restricted | Same sizes, policy-mandated percentage |
| Senior / Elderly | Accessible units, communal facilities, care support | 35 - 65 m2 per unit |
| Student Housing | Small units or shared, near campus/transit | 15 - 30 m2 per bed |
| Co-living | Private room, shared kitchen/living | 12 - 25 m2 private + shared space |
| Serviced Apartments | Hotel-like services, longer stay | 30 - 70 m2 per unit |

### COMMERCIAL
| Subcategory | Description | Typical Module |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience Retail | Grocery, pharmacy, bakery, convenience store | 200 - 2,000 m2 per unit |
| Comparison Retail | Fashion, electronics, homewares, specialty | 50 - 500 m2 per unit |
| Destination Retail | Department store, furniture, large-format | 2,000 - 20,000 m2 per unit |
| Food & Beverage | Restaurant, cafe, bar, fast-casual | 50 - 500 m2 per unit |
| Office Class A | Premium, new build, full amenities, prime location | 200 - 50,000 m2 per floor plate |
| Office Class B | Good quality, older or secondary location | 200 - 20,000 m2 per floor plate |
| Office Class C | Basic, budget, older buildings | 100 - 5,000 m2 per floor plate |
| Hotel / Hospitality | Guest rooms, lobby, F&B, conference, wellness | 25 - 45 m2 per room (varies by class) |
| Co-working | Shared workspace, meeting rooms, amenities | 6 - 10 m2 per desk |

### CIVIC / INSTITUTIONAL
| Subcategory | Description | Typical Size |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Center | Childcare, pre-school (0 - 5 years) | 200 - 1,000 m2 building, 0.2 - 0.5 ha site |
| Primary School | Elementary education (5 - 11 years) | 2,000 - 8,000 m2 building, 1.0 - 2.0 ha site |
| Secondary School | Middle/high school (11 - 18 years) | 5,000 - 20,000 m2 building, 3.0 - 5.0 ha site |
| Tertiary / Training | University campus, vocational training | Varies widely |
| Health Clinic | GP, dentist, pharmacy, basic diagnostics | 500 - 2,000 m2 |
| Community Center | Multi-purpose hall, meeting rooms, offices | 800 - 2,500 m2 |
| Library Branch | Books, digital access, study, events, community | 500 - 2,000 m2 |
| Place of Worship | Varies by faith; gathering hall, offices, community space | 200 - 5,000 m2 |
| Cultural Facility | Gallery, theater, museum, performance space | 500 - 10,000+ m2 |
| Government Services | Offices, service counters, meeting rooms | 500 - 5,000 m2 |

### RECREATION
| Subcategory | Description | Typical Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Fields | Football, cricket, rugby, athletics | 1.0 - 3.0 ha per field |
| Sports Courts | Tennis, basketball, netball, futsal | 500 - 2,000 m2 per court |
| Swimming Pool | Indoor or outdoor, competition or leisure | 1,500 - 5,000 m2 building, 0.5 - 1.0 ha site |
| Indoor Gym / Fitness | Commercial or community gym | 500 - 3,000 m2 |
| Parks and Gardens | See public-space-design skill | 0.1 - 50+ ha |
| Amphitheater / Event Space | Outdoor performance and events | 1,000 - 10,000 m2 |

### INFRASTRUCTURE
| Subcategory | Description | Typical Size |
|---|---|---|
| Structured Parking | Multi-level garage | 25 - 35 m2 per space (inc. access) |
| Surface Parking | At-grade lot | 25 - 30 m2 per space (inc. access) |
| Underground Parking | Below-grade garage | 30 - 40 m2 per space (inc. access, ramps) |
| Transit Facility | Bus stop, tram stop, metro station | Varies |
| Utility / Services | Substation, pump station, telecom | Varies |
| Waste Management | Collection point, recycling center | 50 - 500 m2 |
| Logistics / Last-mile Delivery | Micro-hub, locker facility | 200 - 2,000 m2 |

---

## 2. Mix Optimization Framework

Determining the right mix of uses requires balancing demand analysis, supply constraints, standards, and the qualitative goal of creating a vibrant, 24-hour place.

### 2.1 Demand-Driven Analysis

**Demographic Analysis:**
- Current and projected population by age, household type, and income
- Household size distribution determines unit mix (1-person households = studios/1BR; families = 2-3BR+)
- Income distribution determines affordability requirements and retail/F&B spending capacity
- Employment projections determine office and commercial space demand

**Market Study Inputs:**
- Residential absorption rate: how many units per year can the local market absorb? (typically 50 - 200 units/year in a mid-sized market, 200 - 1,000+ in a major city)
- Office absorption: how much new office space is being leased per year? (5,000 - 30,000+ m2/year in growing markets)
- Retail vacancy rate: if existing vacancy is above 10%, new retail supply should be cautious
- Hotel occupancy: if existing occupancy is above 70%, there may be capacity for new rooms
- Visitor/tourist projections: drive hotel, F&B, and destination retail demand

**Spending Capacity:**
- Retail spending per capita: $5,000 - 15,000 / year in developed economies
- If a new neighborhood of 10,000 people generates $100M in annual retail spending, and retail achieves $3,000 - 6,000 / m2 in annual sales, the neighborhood supports 17,000 - 33,000 m2 of retail
- F&B spending: typically 25 - 40% of total retail spending
- This demand will not all be captured locally: assume 30 - 50% capture rate for convenience, 10 - 20% for comparison

### 2.2 Supply-Driven Constraints

**Site Capacity:**
- FAR (Floor Area Ratio): determines total buildable floor area. FAR 2.0 on a 10 ha site = 200,000 m2 GFA
- Height limits: determine maximum floors and therefore maximum density
- Coverage/footprint: determines how much of the site is built vs. open space
- Setbacks: reduce usable footprint

**Infrastructure Capacity:**
- Water and sewer: calculate demand per use (residential: 150 - 250 L/person/day; office: 50 - 80 L/employee/day)
- Transport: peak-hour trip generation by use must not exceed road and transit capacity (see references/land-use-guide.md)
- Power: substation capacity for the district
- Digital: fiber and telecoms infrastructure

**Parking Capacity:**
- Parking requirements by use (see references/land-use-guide.md)
- Parking structures consume significant area: 1,000 parking spaces = approximately 30,000 - 35,000 m2 of structured parking GFA
- Reduce parking ratios near transit to free up development capacity

### 2.3 Standards-Based Benchmarks

**UN-Habitat Recommendations:**
- Residential floor space: 40 - 60% of total district
- Economic (commercial + civic) floor space: 40% minimum
- Street/public space: 30 - 45% of total land area
- Green/open space: 15 - 20% of total land area
- Density: 150+ people/ha for efficient transit and services

**LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development):**
- Mixed use: minimum 3 diverse uses within 400m walk for credit
- Housing diversity: minimum 3 housing types (size, tenure, price point)
- Community facilities accessible within 400m walk

**Jane Jacobs' 4 Conditions for Diversity (The Death and Life of Great American Cities):**
1. Mixed primary uses: minimum 2 primary functions that bring people out at different times
2. Short blocks: block perimeters of 120 - 240m (not exceeding 400m) for pedestrian permeability
3. Buildings of varied age and condition: mix of new and old allows diverse economic uses
4. Sufficient density: enough people to support diverse uses (she cited 100+ dwellings/acre in some contexts)

### 2.4 The 24-Hour Neighborhood Test

A well-mixed neighborhood generates activity at all times. Test the proposed mix against this framework:

| Time Period | Primary Use Generating Activity | Supporting Uses |
|---|---|---|
| 6 - 9 AM (Weekday) | Residential (departures), Office (arrivals) | Cafe, convenience retail, transit |
| 9 AM - 12 PM (Weekday) | Office, Institutional | Retail, F&B, services |
| 12 - 2 PM (Weekday) | Office (lunch), Institutional | F&B, retail, parks |
| 2 - 5 PM (Weekday) | Office, School (departures) | Retail, services, play areas |
| 5 - 8 PM (Weekday) | Residential (arrivals), F&B, Fitness | Retail (late), cultural, entertainment |
| 8 - 11 PM (Weekday) | Residential, Hotel, F&B/Bars | Cultural (theater, cinema), entertainment |
| 11 PM - 6 AM | Residential, Hotel | Late-night F&B (limited) |
| Weekend daytime | Residential, Visitors, Market | Parks, F&B, retail, cultural, sports |
| Weekend evening | Residential, Visitors | F&B, cultural, entertainment, events |

**Red flags:** If any time period shows no activity-generating use, the mix is deficient. Common gaps:
- Weekday daytime dead zone: insufficient office or institutional use
- Evening dead zone: insufficient residential, F&B, or cultural use
- Weekend dead zone: insufficient residential or visitor-attracting uses

---

## 3. Use Mix by Context

Use the following recommended ratios as a starting point, then adjust based on demand analysis and site-specific factors.

### Recommended Mix Ratios (% of total GFA)

| Context | Residential | Office | Retail + F&B | Civic / Institutional | Hotel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **CBD / City Core** | 20 - 30% | 35 - 50% | 10 - 15% | 5 - 10% | 5 - 10% | Office-led; residential provides evening/weekend life |
| **Urban Center** | 40 - 50% | 15 - 25% | 10 - 15% | 8 - 12% | 3 - 8% | Balanced mix; strong residential base with employment |
| **Neighborhood Center** | 50 - 60% | 8 - 15% | 8 - 12% | 8 - 12% | 0 - 3% | Residential-led; local retail and community facilities |
| **Residential Neighborhood** | 65 - 75% | 3 - 8% | 5 - 10% | 5 - 8% | 0 - 2% | Primarily housing with convenience services |
| **Suburban Center** | 50 - 65% | 10 - 20% | 8 - 15% | 5 - 10% | 0 - 5% | Car-oriented; larger format retail, office parks |
| **Transit District (TOD)** | 35 - 45% | 20 - 30% | 10 - 15% | 8 - 12% | 3 - 8% | High density; transit supports all uses |
| **Waterfront** | 40 - 55% | 10 - 20% | 10 - 15% | 5 - 10% | 5 - 10% | Tourism/leisure component; premium residential |
| **Innovation District** | 25 - 35% | 30 - 40% | 8 - 12% | 10 - 15% | 3 - 8% | Research/tech office; live-work; university/R&D anchor |
| **Cultural Quarter** | 30 - 45% | 5 - 15% | 10 - 20% | 15 - 25% | 5 - 10% | Cultural facilities anchor; F&B and gallery retail strong |

### Land Use Ratios (% of total site area, not GFA)

| Component | Min | Recommended | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building footprint | 25% | 35 - 45% | 55% |
| Streets and circulation | 20% | 25 - 35% | 40% |
| Public open space (parks, plazas) | 10% | 15 - 25% | 35% |
| Semi-private open space (courtyards, gardens) | 5% | 10 - 15% | 20% |
| Surface parking | 0% | 0 - 5% | 15% |

---

## 4. Retail and Commercial Sizing

### 4.1 Retail Space Per Capita
- Developed economies: 1.5 - 2.5 m2 of retail GFA per person in the catchment
- Developing economies: 0.5 - 1.0 m2 per person
- Over-retailed markets (US suburban): 4.0+ m2/person - avoid over-supply

### 4.2 Convenience Retail Sizing
**Catchment:** 500m radius / 5,000 people minimum
**Typical components:**
| Use | Size Range | Threshold Population |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket / grocery | 400 - 2,500 m2 | 3,000 - 5,000 people |
| Pharmacy | 100 - 300 m2 | 3,000 - 5,000 |
| Bakery / pastry | 50 - 150 m2 | 2,000 - 5,000 |
| Convenience store | 100 - 300 m2 | 1,000 - 3,000 |
| Laundry / dry cleaner | 50 - 150 m2 | 5,000 - 10,000 |
| Hair salon / barber | 50 - 150 m2 | 3,000 - 5,000 |
| Bank / ATM | 50 - 200 m2 | 5,000 - 10,000 |
| Post office / parcel pickup | 50 - 200 m2 | 5,000 - 10,000 |

**Total convenience retail:** 1,000 - 4,000 m2 for a neighborhood of 5,000 - 10,000 people

### 4.3 Comparison Retail Sizing
**Catchment:** 2 km radius / 25,000+ people
**Typical components:**
| Use | Size Range | Threshold Population |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion / clothing | 100 - 500 m2 per store | 10,000 - 25,000 |
| Electronics | 200 - 1,000 m2 | 25,000+ |
| Homeware / furniture | 500 - 5,000 m2 | 25,000+ |
| Bookshop | 100 - 500 m2 | 15,000 - 25,000 |
| Sporting goods | 200 - 1,000 m2 | 25,000+ |

### 4.4 Food and Beverage Sizing
- F&B per capita: 0.3 - 0.5 m2 GFA per person in the catchment
- Seat count: 200 - 350 seats per 10,000 people
- Typical mix: 40% restaurants, 30% cafes, 15% fast-casual/takeaway, 15% bars
- Average size: cafe 80 - 150 m2, restaurant 150 - 400 m2, bar 100 - 300 m2
- F&B needs foot traffic: locate at intersections, transit stops, ground floors of office/residential, facing public spaces

### 4.5 Office Space Sizing
- Per employee (NIA): 10 - 15 m2 traditional; 6 - 10 m2 co-working/hot-desk; 15 - 25 m2 creative/tech
- GFA to NIA ratio (office): typically 75 - 85% (15 - 25% core, circulation, plant)
- Floor plate: 200 - 2,500 m2 per floor (varies by market and building type)
- Employment density: 1 employee per 10 - 15 m2 NIA (traditional), 1 per 6 - 10 m2 (co-working)
- Office generates demand for: F&B (lunch), convenience retail, fitness, childcare, transit

### 4.6 Hotel Sizing
- Demand proxy: 1 room per 1,000 visitor-nights per year (from tourism data)
- Room size: budget 18 - 22 m2, midscale 25 - 35 m2, upscale 35 - 55 m2, luxury 50 - 100+ m2
- GFA per room (including lobby, F&B, back-of-house): 45 - 80 m2 total per key
- Typical urban hotel: 100 - 300 rooms; boutique: 30 - 80 rooms
- Hotel generates demand for: F&B, retail, transit, event space, wellness

### 4.7 Ground Floor Design Rules
- **Active ground floor depth:** 8 - 15m for retail, 6 - 10m for cafe/restaurant (deeper = less natural light)
- **Ground floor ceiling height:** 4.0 - 5.0m clear (allows mezzanine, signage, servicing, future flexibility)
- **Frontage requirements:** minimum 6m per retail unit; maximum 15m without an entrance break
- **Transparency:** minimum 60% glazing on ground floor facades facing public space
- **No blank walls:** every ground-floor facade facing a street or public space must be active (retail, F&B, lobby, community use, display window, or at minimum an art wall)
- **Servicing:** rear access for deliveries; no roller shutters or loading docks on primary frontages
- **Residential ground floors:** if residential at ground, elevate 0.5 - 1.0m above sidewalk for privacy, or set back behind a private garden zone (2 - 3m)

---

## 5. Community Facility Requirements

Use the following thresholds and sizing formulas to determine when and how large community facilities should be in a development program.

### 5.1 Education

| Facility | Population Threshold | Site Area | Building Area | Service Radius |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Center (0 - 5) | 1 per 3,000 - 5,000 people | 0.2 - 0.5 ha | 200 - 1,000 m2 | 300 - 500m walk |
| Primary School (5 - 11) | 1 per 5,000 - 10,000 people | 1.0 - 2.0 ha | 2,000 - 8,000 m2 | 500m walk |
| Secondary School (11 - 18) | 1 per 15,000 - 25,000 people | 3.0 - 5.0 ha | 5,000 - 20,000 m2 | 1,000m walk |

**Sizing formulas:**
- Early childhood: 3.5 - 5.0 m2 indoor space per child + 7.0 m2 outdoor per child; assume 50 - 100 places per center
- Primary: 5.0 - 8.0 m2 per student (building), 10 - 15 m2 per student (site); assume 300 - 600 students
- Secondary: 8.0 - 12.0 m2 per student (building), 20 - 30 m2 per student (site); assume 800 - 1,500 students

**Co-location:** Schools should share facilities (sports fields, halls, libr

…

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [Amanbh997](https://github.com/Amanbh997)
- **Source:** [Amanbh997/Urban-Design-Skills-Claude](https://github.com/Amanbh997/Urban-Design-Skills-Claude)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-amanbh997-urban-design-skills-claude-mixed-use-programming
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/amanbh997
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

---
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