Planning Glossary

Overview

Community Planning and Development's guide to terms commonly used in city planning.

A

Abut or abutting

To physically touch at a point or line; or to share a common property line, or zone lot line. Intervening streets and alleys destroy “abutting,” except where specifically allowed by the Denver Zoning Code. For example, two zone lots that share a common zone lot line are “abutting” (and also “adjacent).”

 

Access

The ability to safely reach desired places, services and activities.

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)

A second residence on the property of or attached to a single-family house (such as an apartment over the garage or a smaller house in the backyard) with its own separate entrance and living space. Sometimes they are called “granny flats” or “mother-in-law apartments.” In Denver, not all zone districts allow ADUs.

  • What is not an ADU? Renting a room inside your house to a non-relative.
  • What’s the difference between an ADU and a duplex? A duplex is made up of two joined, but separate properties that may have separate owners. An ADU, on the other hand, is “accessory” to the primary unit on the property.

Examples of attached and detached ADUs

Activation

The addition of amenities, activities or events that encourage people to use or visit streets, parks, public spaces or neighborhoods by “activating” the area.

 

Active ground floor or ground-floor activation

An active ground floor or ground-floor activation refers to having a mix of businesses on the first floor of a building that have clients or customers who can easily walk in and out throughout the business day. These businesses are typically storefronts that face the sidewalk, have large windows and are design to be inviting to pedestrians.

Adaptive reuse

The process of taking an existing structure and updating it for a new use or purpose.

Examples:

  • Turning a former office building into apartments.
  • Turning a former warehouse into a food hall.
  • Turning a former auto-shop into a brewery. 
  • Turning a former fire station into a restaurant (see below: Woodie Fisher restaurant, formerly Hose Company No. 1)

Woodie Fisher restaurant in the former Hose Company No. 1 Building is an example of adaptive reuse.

Adjacent

Sharing a zone lot line or being separated only by an alley. Named or numbered streets destroy adjacency, except where specifically allowed by the Denver Zoning Code.

 

Affordable housing

In general, housing for which the occupant(s) pay(s) no more than 30 percent of their income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Affordable housing may be subsidized or naturally occurring affordable housing, which is not subsidized but still affordable compared with average market rents/prices.

Learn more in the video below.

 

Air quality

The degree to which the ambient air is pollution-free, assessed by measuring a number of indicators of pollution. Good air quality means that air pollution poses little or no risk and allows clear views of distant objects such as the mountains or downtown skyline.

Alternative transportation

Travel by means other than a car. Light rail, commuter rail, bus, cycling and walking are often grouped together under this heading. 

 

Amenity

A benefit that increases the value of a property or area. Amenities can be specific things, such as a pool or recreation center. They can also be more general benefits, such as the ability to walk or roll around easily and safely in a neighborhood or the availability of alternative modes of transportation.

 

Amenity zone

The portion of the public right-of-way adjacent to the back of the curb that contains elements of the streetscape such as trees, plantings, benches, lighting, trash and recycling receptacles, and public art outside of the walking area.

 

Arterial

A major street designed to provide high mobility and serve longer car trips.

Examples:

  • Federal Boulevard
  • Colorado Boulevard

B

Bicycle lane

A separate lane reserved for bicyclists on a street, marked by striping. “Protected” bike lanes include additional barriers to separate car traffic from bicyclists, ranging from plastic posts to a parking lane between the bike lane and the street.

 

Bicycle route

A designated route for bycicle riders marked by signage, usually on more lightly traveled residential or secondary roads, but not necessarily marked as a separate lane. 

 

Block

A tract of land bounded by platted streets, public parks, cemeteries, railroad rights-of-way, shore lines, or the corporate boundaries of the city.

 

Brownfield

An abandoned, idled or under-used industrial or commercial site where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

 

Building form

Generally, the shape or configuration of a structure. In Denver, which has a “form-based” zoning code, building forms are regulations that govern which types of buildings may be built and where. "Use" determines what happens on a property (a restaurant, an office, a shop, a place someone live), but "building form" speaks to how the structure looks.  

For example, the "shopfront" building form in the Denver Zoning Code can apply to different kinds of businesses. It carries certain requirements, such as transparency (how easy it is to see what is happening inside through the windows), where entrances are located in relation to the street and more.

 

 

Building form standards or building siting standards

Standards in the Zoning Code that regulate the size, dimension and height of buildings on lots. May also include the placement, orientation, and coverage of a building on a lot. 

 

Building frontage

The horizontal linear measurement of the front or side of a building that is generally facing or oriented toward a street.

 

Built environment

The collection of manmade buildings of a city or neighborhood, or those not found in nature, such as buildings, roads, street lights, parks and infrastructure.

 

 

Bulk plane

A series of horizontal and vertical planes which, when applied in three-dimensions, limit the allowable space a building may occupy.

See page 19 of our residential permitting guide for an illustrated explantion for how to determine the allowed bulk plane (building) envelope.

 

 

Bump-outs

Extensions of the sidewalk into the street usually used to shorten crossing distances and make it easier for people walking to cross the street safely.

 

Bus bulb

Bus bulbs are curb extensions that align a bus stop with the parking lane on a street, allowing buses to stop and board passengers without leaving the travel lane.

See examples on Wikipedia

 

Bus rapid transit (BRT)

A bus-based transit system with specialized design, services and infrastructure above and beyond traditional bus service (including its own, separate lane) intended to improve system quality and remove the typical causes of delay. BRT is sometimes called “surface subway” and aims to combine the speed and capacity of light-rail with the lower cost of a bus system.

Learn more about BRT on East Colfax on the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure's website.

C

Capital improvement

The addition of a permanent structural change or the restoration of some aspect of a property that will either enhance the property's overall value, prolong its useful life, or adapt it to new uses.

 

 

Carbon emissions

Carbon emissions refer to the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere as a byproduct of burning fossil fuels such as gas, coal or oil.

 

Citywide plans

Citywide planning incorporates input from all areas of the city and involves multiple city departments and initiatives. These plans encompass the entire city (rather than specific neighborhoods or areas), establish goals for the future of the city and provide policy guidance to achieve those goals.

Climate change

Any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. Climate change includes major changes, occurring over several decades or longer, in temperature, precipitation or wind patterns.

To learn more about how Denver is approaching climate change, visit the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR).

 

Common area

Areas within a building or within a residential development that are available for common use by all owners or tenants. Examples of common areas include, but are not limited to: a clubhouse, courtyard or other shared recreation area; building lobbies, corridors, and stairways; parking areas; laundry room; roof; or storage rooms.

Commuter rail

A rail transportation system using dedicated tracks that are separate and not mixed with automobile traffic. Commuter-Rail cars are larger and heavier than “light-rail” cars, and are meant to travel longer distances with fewer stops between stations.

Commuter carries passengers within urban areas, or between urban areas and their suburbs. There are few standing passengers, and the operations may be carried out over tracks that are part of the railroad system in the area. In RTD’s system, the University of Colorado A line to Denver International Airport is an example of a commuter rail line. 

 

Complete neighborhood

A neighborhood where residents can live and work and get to the grocery store, a doctor's office, school or day-care, public transit and other common needs easily and without always having to rely on using a car. 

Complete neighborhoods bring together attainable housing and jobs, as well as alternative modes of transportation. 

Blueprint Denver defines a complete neighborhood as, "A neighborhood where all residents have safe and convenient access to the goods and services needed in daily life. This includes a variety of housing options, fresh food and other commercial services, open spaces and recreational facilities, affordable active transportation options, high quality transit, and civic amenities. An important element of a complete neighborhood is to meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities."

Connectivity

This term refers to how well a transportation network is connected, based on the number and density of connections or links as well as how direct the connections are from Point A to Point B.

Context

The setting or conditions in which planning and community growth/development take shape.

In Blueprint Denver, neighborhood contexts demonstrate the differences in built environment between Denver's neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Contexts chapter of the document (chapter 5) provides detail on the aspirational elements of a complete neighborhood--land use, built form, mobility and quality of life infrastructure--expressed through the places and street types found in each neighborhood context. This context-based approach sets guidelines for character-compatible development by explaining the varied expectations and aspirations for each unique neighborhood in Denver. 

The Denver Zoning Code also uses "context" in a specific way. The code is organized by neighborhood contexts that are distinguished from one another by physical and functional characteristics, including

  • street, alley and block patterns
  • building placement and height
  • types of land uses
  • transportation options

Watch the video below to learn more about Denver's context-based code.

 

Corridor

Corridors are linear pathways that connect places. Corridors can be streets that serve people in cars or bikes and pedestrians. They can also be rail-lines or natural paths like rivers and trails mostly used by wildlife. They may be regional in scale, as in a heavy rail corridor. They can also be local, as in a retail corridor along a neighborhood street.

 

 

Curb bump-outs, bulbouts or curb extentions

Extensions of the sidewalk into the street usually used to shorten crossing distances and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the street safely.

Curb cut

A ramp leading smoothly down from a sidewalk to the street, rather than an abrupt step down to the street. Driveways are common examples of curb cuts, but a curb cut can also refer to a wheelchair-accessible ramp from the sidewalk to the street often found at the end of blocks and/or at crosswalks.

Curb ramps provide access between the sidewalk and roadway for people with wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, crutches, handcarts, bicycles, or who have mobility restrictions that make it difficult to step up and down high curbs.

 

Curb ramp

Curb ramps provide access between the sidewalk and roadway for people using wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, crutches, handcarts, bicycles, or who have mobility restrictions that make it difficult to step up and down high curbs.

 

D

Density

The number of developed units in a specific area of land. Residential density, for example, is usually measured by dwelling units per acre (du/ac).

Density is usually referenced in conversations about how many people live in an area. "High density" areas are generally those in which more people live closer together because buildings are closer together and/or because there are more residences or dwelling units on each lot. For example, a block with three or four multi-story buildings that each have a dozen separate apartments has higher or more residential density than a block of the same size that has three or four individual houses. 

 

Density bonus

An incentive that cities sometimes offer to developers to build more than what existing rules allow (such as buildings that are taller than zoning rules would normally allow) in exchange for something that supports local policy goals.

For example, in Denver, the Expanding Housing Affordability program allows developers to build taller buildings if the proposed development includes more units that are income-restricted. Other potential benefits that could come from a density bonus are more multi-bedroom income-restricted units (for larger families), spaces for community-serving businesses, open space that is available to the public and more.  

 

Denver Revised Municipal Code (DRMC)

The Denver Revised Municipal Code is a complete list of all the ordinances and rules for the City and County of Denver.

Dwelling

Any building or portion of building that is used as the residence of one or more households, but not including hotels and other lodging accommodation uses, hospitals, tents, or similar uses or structures providing transient or temporary accommodation with the exception of an accessory short-term rental.

 

E

Economic mobility

The ability of an individual, family or some other group to move along the economic spectrum in terms of wealth and income.

 

Environmental justice

Environmental justice refers to all people having the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards as well as equal access to decisionmaking processes for a healthy environment.

 

Equity

Equity means everyone, regardless of who they are or where they are from, has the opportunity to thrive. Where there is equity, a person’s identity does not determine their outcome. Equality means treating every person the same. Equity acknowledges that treating each person or place exactly the same may not result in fair outcomes. 

See more about the definition of equity and Denver’s commitment to it in Comprehensive Plan 2040.

 

 

Eyes on the street

The concept that activating an area and increasing the number of people (and eyes) present has a positive effect on undesirable behavior.

 

F

Façade

Any exterior wall surface located at the ground level of a building that encloses the interior of the building.

 

Family friendly housing

Housing design to serve households of more than one generation, usually including children. This includes housing units with more than one bedroom and amenities that serve a variety of ages.

Fixed rack bicycle parking facility

An unenclosed device used for the parking of bicycles that is affixed permanently to the ground. Examples include, but are not limited to, an inverted “U”-style bicycle rack.at the ground level of a building that encloses the interior of the building.

 

Flex/innovation

Manufacturing places that serve the purpose of craft/maker space, technology, design and manufacturing. Flex/innovation places can have a mix of employment and residential land uses.

 

Food systems

A food system is the process of how food gets from a farm or ranch to an individual and their family. The food system begins with the land, water, seeds and tools that farmers and ranchers convert into food. The food system also encompasses the cleaning, moving, processing, repacking, packaging, distributing, selling and coking that happens between the farm and the plate. 

Learn more about Denver's Food Vision

Former Chapter 59

Chapter 59 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code (also informally referred to as the “old code”) served as the city’s primary zoning regulatory tool, before the adoption of the updated Denver Zoning Code in 2010. Certain areas of the city were not rezoned.

 

Frontage

The part of someone’s property that touches the street.

G

Green infrastructure

Public or private assets—including both natural and engineered facilities—that protect, support or mimic natural systems to provide stormwater management water quality, reduced flooding risks, urban heat island effect mitigation, reduced energy demands, climate change resiliency and enhanced community livability. Green infrastructure may also be used to reflect a broad definition including trees, plants, parks and greenways.

Green streets

Streets with additional landscaping, often linking parks.

 

Greenhouse gas

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and make the planet warmer. Examples of greenhouse gases include: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation (EPA).

 

H

Habitable room

A room in a dwelling unit designed to be used for living, sleeping, eating or cooking, excluding bathrooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, storage and similar space.

 

Habitable space

A story that has at least 4 feet between the ground level and the ceiling joists and that has enough area to provide a room with net floor-to-ceiling distance of 7 feet over half the area of the room.  A “habitable space” may or may not constitute a habitable room (see above definition).

High-capacity transit

Any form of public transit that has an exclusive right-of-way, a non-exclusive right-of-way, or a combination of both. High-capacity transit vehicles make fewer stops, travel at higher speeds, have more  frequent service, and carry more people than local service transit. High-capacity transit can include light rail, rapid streetcar, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit.

Learn more at Denver Moves: Transit

High injury network

The corridors in Denver with the highest number of fatal and injury crashes, as identified in Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan

Historic landmark or district

Structures designated for preservation either individually or as part of a larger district designated for preservation under the provisions of D.R.M.C., Chapter 30.

Learn more about Landmark Preservation in Denver.

 

Human scale

Site and building design elements that are designed around people and, thus, dimensionally different from than those intended to accommodate can traffic and flow.

A sense of human scale is achieved when one can reasonably interpret buildings, streets, and spaces at a comfortable walking pace by comparing their elements, materials, and functions to the size of a person.

 

I

Impervious surface

Land surfaces that repel water and do not let rainwater infiltrate, or soak into, the ground. This includes roads, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. More of these surfaces contribute to the urban heat island effect and exasperate flooding from stormwater issues.

Infill

Development on vacant lots in areas of the city where there are existing buildings and other development.

 

Infrastructure

Public improvements such as roads and traffic signals, sidewalks and bicycle paths, water and sewer lines, power and telecommunication lines.

 

 

 

Institutional use

Institutional uses generally are the land uses that serve a community's social, spiritual, educational, health and/or cultural needs. They may include public or quasi-public facilities or be privately owned and operated.

Involuntary displacement

When property values and/or rents in an area increase, forcing residents and/or businesses to relocate to neighborhoods where real estate is less costly. 

J, K, L

Land bank

Acquisition of land, typically by a local government or non-profit corporation, to be held for future development.

Land use

A phrase that refers to how people use public and private property. For example, residential land use refers to use of land or property where people live and where residential structures may be built. Commercial land use refers to use of property intended for commercial enterprise that may range from office space to restaurants and retail.

 

Land-use planning

The process by which the city creates a vision for the city or a smaller area by setting goals or guidelines for how property may be used and what types of buildings and structures may be built there.

 

Landmark (historic landmark)

A building, site structure or object that has been designated by the Denver City Council as a landmark for its historic, architectural, geographic and/or cultural significance. Landmark properties are subject to design review.

Learn more about Landmark Preservation in Denver

 

Lot coverage

A calculation that measures how much of a parcel of land is used--or the intensity of use--for a development project.

It is measured by taking the size of the footprint of a building (or the combined footprint of all buildings and structures if there are more than one) on a lot and dividing it by the size of the parcel. It can expressed as a decimal number or a percentage.

 

M

Main street

When used in reference to planning, particularly neighborhood planning, this phrase refers to small, neighborhood-scale pedestrian-friendly commercial streets characterized by wide sidewalks, storefronts, open patios and other businesses, buildings and features that encourage pedestrian and street activity. Local examples: South Pearl Street in the Platt Park neighborhood, South Gaylord Street in the Washington Park neighborhood or Kearney Street in Park Hill. Longer, larger scale “main streets” include 17th Street in Uptown, Morrison Road in Westwood and Colfax Avenue in central Denver.

 

Mass transit

The general term used to identify bus, fixed rail, or other types of transportation service available to the general public that move relatively large numbers of people at one time.

 

Missing middle housing

Missing middle refers to residential buildings, with 2 to 19 units, such as duplexes, triplexes, row houses, small apartments, and similar neighborhood housing options. This is housing that falls “in the middle,” between single-unit or single family homes and large apartment buildings. Missing middle also refers to units that are attainable to middle-income households.

This type of housing serves people who live well above the poverty line, but still struggle to afford housing in Denver, such as teachers and firefighters. 

 

Mixed-use development

The development of a site or building with two or more different principal or primary uses including, but not limited to residential, office, manufacturing, retail, public or entertainment uses.

 

Mobility

The ability of people to move around as part of their daily routines.

  • What does the city mean when we say we want to “increase or improve mobility?” We mean to offer residents more and better options for how to move around the city and making it easier/safer to use these options. 

 

Mobility hub

Places of connectivity where different travel modes--including walking, biking and transit--come together. Typically mobility hubs are anchored around transit stations and are located in mixed-use areas with higher intensity development.

Mode (of transportation)

A particular form or method of travel, for example, walking, driving, bicycling, or public transit (bus or train).

Mode share

The proportion of total people who use each mode of transportation. For example, the number of commuters taking transit versus the number driving alone, bicycling, or other possible travel modes.

 

Multi-modal

The issues or activities that involve or affect more than one mode of transportation or a path that can be traversed through different forms of travel. Includes transportation connections, choices, cooperation and coordination of various modes. Also known as “intermodal."

 

Multi-modal streets

Streets that accommodate multiple modes of travel including rapid transit (bus and rail options), bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles.

N

Natural features

The term natural features includes trees, landscaping, plants, water bodies, topography and other non manmade elements.

Neighborhood character (or "Context")

The defining physical characteristics, such as lot size, setbacks and scale that identify an area or community.

In Blueprint Denver, neighborhood contexts demonstrate the differences in built environment between Denver's neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Contexts chapter of the document (chapter 5) provides detail on the aspirational elements of a complete neighborhood--land use, built form, mobility and quality of life infrastructure--expressed through the places and street types found in each neighborhood context. This context-based approach sets guidelines for character-compatible development by explaining the varied expectations and aspirations for each unique neighborhood in Denver.

 

 

Nodes/centers

Nodes are central or connecting points in a neighborhood that have a mix of residential, commercial and institutional buildings, such as shopping areas, libraries and medium- to high-density housing.

Non-conforming structure

A structure or building that was lawful prior to the adoption, revision, or amendment to the Zoning Code, but that fails to conform to the present requirements of the current zoning code because regulations changed since the building of the now, “non-conforming” structure.

 

O

On-street/off-street parking

On-street parking refers to parking within the right-of-way of a public street, typically in designated parallel or diagonally striped spaces adjacent to moving traffic lanes. Off-street parking refers to parking on a surface lot or parking structure that is off the public right-of-way.

 

Open space

Space that is clearly intended to be usable, publicly accessible, and a visual amenity, but not including parking lots or vestigial landscaped areas left over after the placement of buildings and parking on a zone lot. Publicly accessible open space may be publicly or privately owned, managed or maintained.

 

Overlay zone district

A set of additional zoning requirements that are mapped and imposed on top of the underlying zone district. Development within an overlay zone must either meet the requirements of both the zoning in place and the additional overlay zoning, or the more restrictive of the two.

 

P

Parcel

A tract or plot of land defined by specific boundaries.  Parcels are owned by a person or entity and are used by the Assessor for tax purposes.  Parcels are different from “zone lots” as zone lots define what can happen on the land while parcels tell us who owns them.

Pedestrian-scale lighting

Lighting that is pointed toward the sidewalk, and positioned lower to the ground and more closely spaced than street lights.

 

Pedestrian scale or human scale

Site and building design elements that are designed around people and, thus, dimensionally different from than those intended to accommodate can traffic and flow.

Placemaking

An approach to planning for a space, neighborhood or area that capitalizes on community assets and potential to create spaces that encourage activity, community engagement and wellness.

 

Planned unit development (PUD)

A zone district wherein an area of land, controlled by one or more landowners, to be developed under unified control or unified plan of development for a number of dwelling units, commercial, education, recreational, or industrial uses, or any combination of the foregoing, the plan for which does not correspond in zone lot size, building form, bulk, use, density, lot coverage, open space, or other restriction to the existing zoning regulations of this Code. See Division 9.6, Planned Unit Development District, of the Denver Zoning Code.

Preservation

The practice of protecting and preserving, conserving and protection sites, structures or districts significant to cultural, social, political, archaeological or architectural history.

Learn more about Landmark Preservation in Denver

 

 

Protected district

Low-scale residential zone districts, generally one and two units, that require additional setbacks and transitions in adjacent commercial and mixed-use districts.

 

Public realm

The publicly owned places and spaces that belong to and are accessible to everyone.

 

Public right-of-way (ROW)

The public right-of-way is an area of land owned or controlled by the city for the purposes of constructing, operating and maintaining public facilities such as streets, alleys, sidewalks and bike paths for the needs of transportation, utilities and other public infrastructure.

Q, R

Quality-of-life infrastructure

Refers to the places, plants, waterways, parks and outdoor spaces that contribute to the health, needs, comfort, environmental resilience and social connectedness in Denver.

 

Regulatory tools

Rules and regulations that cities can use to help advance a policy goal or implement a community priority identified in a plan. 

 

Resiliency

The ability of a community to adapt to both internal and external social, economic and environmental challenges without adverse effect to its residents, essential functions and identity.

 

Rezoning

An amendment to the official zoning map that changes the zoning regulations on land to another zoning type with different regulations.

 

S

Shared street

An integrated space used to better balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and low-speed motor vehicles. Shared streets are usually local-access, narrow streets without curbs and sidewalks. Trees, planters, parking areas, and other obstacles placed in the street help slow cars down. 

A shared street is often referred to as a “pedestrian-priority street” or, in residential areas, as a “home zone.”  

Site development plan

A specific development plan for a zone lot, use, or building, specifying how the entire site will be developed including, but not limited to, building envelopes, uses, densities, open space, parking/circulation, access, drainage, building area, landscaping, and signs.

 

Stormwater drainage

Infrastructure that control surface runoff from snow and rain.  Infrastructure includes alleys, curbs, and gutters, and intersection drainage in addition to underground pipes.

 

Streetscape

The natural and built fabric of a street, defined as the design quality of the street and its visual effect.

 

Sustainability

The long-term social, economic and environmental health of a community. A sustainable city survives today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

To learn more about Denver's efforts on sustainability, visit the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency.

T

Trails

Facilities separate from streets or sidewalks intended for use by cyclists, pedestrians, skaters, runners, and others. Trails may be paved or unpaved. They may run through parks, alongside streets or waterways or on their own.

 

Transit-oriented development (TOD) or transit-oriented communities (TOC)

Development that is planned and build around access to nearby or adjacent public transit, such as a high-frequency bus route or light-rail line. 

Because transit is easily accessible, transit-oriented development doesn't necessarily have to prioritize including parking or car-focused accommodations. For more information on transit-oriented development and communities in Denver, visit DenverGov.org/TOD

Transit-rich areas

Areas with access to high-frequency transit including rail and/or transit priority streets.

Transportation demand management (TDM)

Strategies that shift travel behavior to increase the efficiency of the transportation network, reduce single occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips and achieve specific transportation outcomes.

 

 

Tree canopy

The layer of tree leaves, branches and stems that provide tree coverage of the ground when viewed from above. In urban areas, the tree canopy provides an important stormwater management function by intercepting rainfall that would otherwise run off of paved surfaces and be transported into local waters though the storm drainage system. Tree canopy also reduces the temperature of an urban area caused by the paving and other modification of land, reduces heating/cooling costs, lowers air temperatures, reduces air pollution, increases property values, provides wildlife habitat, and provides aesthetic and community benefits such as improved quality of life.

U

Upper story setback

The horizontal distance that an upper portion of a building facade is set back from the property or zone lot boundary line.

 

Upper story step-back

The horizontal distance that an upper portion of a building facade is set back from the face of the building’s lower portion.

 

Urban design

Involves the social, economic, functional, environmental, and aesthetic objectives that result in the plan or structure of a city, in whole or in part.

 

V, W

Value manufacturing

Designated by Blueprint Denver, these light industrial districts within Denver serve the primary purpose of light manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation, and warehousing.

Vulnerable populations

Vulnerable populations typically include those with a larger percentage of elders, children, people with disabilities or lower incomes.

Wayfinding

Knowing where you are in a building or area and how to get where you are going. Wayfinding signage is intended to help you move through or around a building or space.

 

X, Y, Z

Zone lot

The land designated as the building site for a structure; also, the land area occupied by a use or a structure.  Such land area may be designated as a zone lot only by the owner or owners of the lot.

 

Zoning

The collection of regulations that governs what uses, activities and building types are allowed in different areas.