Visions of Sharon
Who decides how a town like Sharon can look?
1
Private Sector
The private sector includes families, clubs, enterprises, and closed communities that operate with a certain degree of autonomy. However, these private entities must still adhere to public land-use regulations that govern real estate development. While the public sector handles fundamental aspects of real estate development, private properties can influence the form, function, and aesthetics of the public realm. This interaction affects the quality of life and benefits for the general public and other property owners. The government regulates the extent of this influence to balance private interests with public needs. Real estate developers are a key part of the private sector. They respond primarily to market demands, which often take precedence over local community interests, regardless of their awareness of those interests. However, private visions for a town are not always out of reach. Citizens' aspirations can become part of the official vision for a town through participatory planning processes. Engaged citizens can mobilize to share their ideas and goals, potentially influencing development even if these ideas initially lack formal approval or government support. Ultimately, private developers need to understand which plans and levels of government affect and regulate the development process to align their visions with the broader regulatory framework. Whereas the public domain controls more fundamental aspects of real estate development, private properties influence the form, function, or aesthetic of the public realm. In effect, the private sphere directly impacts the quality of life and benefits of the general public and other property owners. The government mediates the extent to which the private sphere can influence these properties. One such private entity is a real estate developer. They respond to market demand, which usually takes precedence over local community interest, whether or not the private developer is aware of them. But private visions for a town aren't always inaccessible. Private aspirations of citizens can materialize into the official visions for a town. Through participatory planning processes, citizens who recognize the potential of a town's asset can mobilize to bring their goals to a larger audience and despite initially lacking formal approval or governmental involvement. Either way, private developers must be aware of which types of plans and levels of government affect and control the development process for their vision.
2
Public Sector
The public sector plays a crucial role in shaping urban development through the creation and updating of codes and regulations. It serves as a bridge between citizens and their shared spaces by organizing public meetings and producing commission reports. The public sector influences real estate development in three primary ways: Investing in Public Assets: This includes funding infrastructure, parks, housing, and other public facilities. Regulating Private Development: This is done through zoning regulations and other land-use controls. Encouraging Market Activity: This involves fostering private investment and promoting public participation. Unlike private developers, the public sector has the authority to direct and manage real estate development through various regulations and initiatives. However, the public sector itself is not a single entity but a complex, multi-tiered system. Different levels of government—such as federal, state, and local—each have distinct goals and timeframes. For example, federal or state agencies might focus on long-term regional planning, while city districts might pursue shorter-term goals to stimulate local private development. There are three ways in which the public sector can shape a town and influence real estate development: 1. Investing in publicly owned real estate such as infrastructure, parks, housing, and other public facilities. 2. Regulating the development of privately owned real estate through zoning regulations. 3. Incentivizing the market by encouraging private investment and public participation. The public sector has a hand in private development that does not necessarily exist vice versa. Public visions and governmental regulations can control and guide what can be developed by a variety of stakeholders. The public sector is not monolithic, however, and is represented by the multitiered governmental structure which translates into different real estate development goals. For instance, federal or state agencies might have a decades-long regional goal of determining resource allocation while a city district might have a five year goal of motivating action in private development.
3
Private & Public Sector
When the private and public sectors intersect, they can sometimes find themselves in competition, each vying to define their roles and responsibilities. Both sectors must adhere to land-use regulations established by the public domain. As noted, each sector is driven by a range of interests and goals. It is often in the best interest of public welfare to find collaborative solutions that address the needs and objectives of both domains. As real estate development becomes more complex, the boundary between the private and public sectors increasingly blurs. This evolving landscape highlights the growing need for regulations that mediate these diverse visions and ensure effective land-use and development practices. With the line between these two domains blurring given the evolution and complication of real estate development, there exists a rise in the need for regulations on land use and development to mediate these various visions.