As I travel and visit cities it seems everyone appreciates the vital role dining, entertainment and events contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of city life.  However, the planning, managing and policing of these activities remains an evolving and increasingly difficult challenge, especially when they involve blending into residential areas.

A common phrase for the areas of a city where there is a concentration of hospitality businesses is dining and entertainment district. Such a term implies focus on the "businesses" in an area rather than "activity" that occurs within it. The term "zone" while in some cases may imply legal boundaries, it can also be a term to identify an area that may overlap multiple districts or be a subsection of a district.

And in some ways, the nature of "hospitality" tends to vary upon the primary activity in an area. For instance, think of stadium and what type of hospitality businesses come to mind. An arts district, college district, tourist district, shopping district, convention district, a cultural neighborhood (i.e. Chinese, Italian, Gay, etc.) or a mixed use district (residential, retail and office).

More and more city planners are recognizing that beyond the "streetscape" with lighting, landscape, signs and "ambassadors" it is necessary to have people. Walking, sitting in outdoor cafes, on public benches and enjoying both formal and informal street "entertainers." People watching is as much an activity as shopping and eating.

It seems that in each of these areas there emerges a section, or "zone" where a concentration of social activity occurs. Businesses or street vendors and entertainers emerge to meet the unique needs of those utilizing the primary services of the functional unit (i.e. stadium, retail shops, convention, art, court house, etc.)

What term then can best describe these clusters of hospitality services and how can there be better coordination of planning, managing and policing of the services to increase opportunities, reduce risk to public safety and maintain a positive quality of life for those in and around the area?

First, begin with a definition of hospitality:

• Hospitality is the art and science of creating safe and vibrant places to socialize.

This simple definition can be applied on three distinct levels. It is certainly what we do in our home when we invite friends and family to visit. Second, it is the commercial activity of a restaurant, cafe, bar, tavern, club, event or other social setting. Finally, it is what planners do in creating a destination for residents and visitors to their city, district or neighborhood.

Second, let’s consider the term "zone."

As a noun:

• Zone: 1. separate area with particular function: an area regarded as separate or kept separate, especially one with a particular use or function, e.g. a loading zone. 2. subsection of particular area: one of the smaller, usually named or numbered sections that an area is divided into, e.g. those of a transportation network or an athletic field

As a verb:

• Zone: 1. transitive verb split area into zones: to divide an area into zones 2. transitive and intransitive verb designate area for something: to declare officially that an area is to be used for a particular purpose, or be developed in a particular way.

In trying to describe this emerging phenomenon a term we are testing is “hospitality zone” to describe those areas that have a higher concentration of dining and entertainment establishments, are the location of special events, and have an active street life, whether during certain time periods or throughout the day.

And hospitality zones can define activity and standards of practices. For instance:

• High Intensity: Businesses in this zone can offer live and amplified music, have extended hours with non-alcoholic beverage service, have mixed age clientele, outdoor seating, and dancing. Businesses must have a detailed security plan for controlling underage drinking, intoxication, crowd management, sound level controls and staff training. Residents in this zone must sign a disclosure statement and utilize the Early Assistance Team as a mediator in any conflicts.

• Medium Intensity: Businesses in this zone may offer live and amplified music until a set hour during week and on weekends, must serve food, and have a security plan as above. Residents are provided with greater input on after hours activity and businesses violating conditions may have rights suspended or removed with continual violations.

• Low Intensity: A primarily residential area with some businesses offering daytime and evening food service or café style businesses with outdoor seating. No live or amplified music.

Naturally with any term of art there’ll be supporters and critics. So, please write to me at Jim@RHIweb.org to let me know how "hospitality zones" can apply to your needs and issues.

Thanks.