Desert Vernacular: Green Building and Ecological Design in Scottsdale, Arizona - Design with the Desert: Conservation and Sustainable Development - page 491

• Promotes growth that serves community needs, quality of life, and community
character
• Recognizes and embraces the diversity of the community by creating an envi-
ronment that respects the human dignity of all without regard to race, religion,
national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical attributes
Scottsdale's General Plan is divided into six chapters that are based on the Six Guiding
Principles of the CityShape 2020 citizen participation process 16 : character and lifestyle, eco-
nomic vitality, neighborhoods, open space, sustainability, and transportation.
Twelve “Elements” or sections of the General Plan contain the city's policies on character
and design, land use, open spaces and the natural environment, business and economics,
community services, neighborhood vitality, housing, transportation, growth issues, human
services, protection of desert and mountain lands, economic vitality, and the character of
neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods hold a unique identity that when grouped together complete Scottsdale's
identity as single community. Urban, suburban, rural, and native Sonoran Desert characters
provide a broad pallet of expressions. It is the city's responsibility to oversee connections,
transitions and blending of these neighborhood characters to ensure the community
comes together to create a unified composition.
These policies in the General Plan are implemented and detailed through ordinances and
ongoing procedures of the city, including the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance,
and Design Guidelines. The General Plan is further reinforced through recommendations
from city Boards and Commissions and the decisions made by the City Council.
28.4.3 Sensitive Design Principles
The Scottsdale Sensitive Design Program is a comprehensive compilation of policies and
guidelines related to desirable aesthetic qualities and unique character attributed to the
Sonoran Desert. The Sensitive Design Principles were developed with guidance from the
City Council, Planning Commission, Development Review Board, and citizen groups to
serve as an overlay to existing planning guidelines and regulations (Figure 28.4). These
principles outline the city's design expectations and are based on the overall belief that
development should respect and enhance the unique climate, topography, vegetation, and
historical context of Scottsdale's Sonoran Desert environment, all of which are considered
amenities that help sustain the community and its quality of life. One of the major goals of
the program is to address design and sustainability in the context of regional architectural
character. The principles serve as a planning tool in the review and evaluation of proposed
developments with respect to environmental responsive design.
Scottsdale's Sensitive Design Principles are listed in the following order 17 :
1. The design character of any area should be enhanced and strengthened by new
development: Building design should consider the distinctive qualities and char-
acter of the surrounding context and, as appropriate, incorporate those qualities
in its design. The project should take into account the evolving context of an area
over time.
2. Development should recognize and preserve established vistas through siting,
orientation of buildings, and the protection of natural features including desert
washes, boulders, and archaeological and historical resources.