New Urbanism

How Cities are Re-making Themselves

Urban Challenges (Sprawl)

• Suburbanization makes things farther apart– Jobs– Services

• Over-reliance on automobile– Traffic congestion, pollution,

increased commute times

Urban Challenges

• People segregated by race, class and income– Poverty persists– Middle Class leaves the city

• Poor concentrated in “the projects”– City living for poor is unattractive

and dangerous– “Broken windows” theory

New Urbanism

• Early 1980s

• Movement within Architecture and Planning

• Based on principles of traditional neighborhood design

Walkability

• People should be able to walk around– Free from traffic danger

• Walk to shopping and entertainment establishments– Most within a 10 minute walk

Mixed Use

• Mixed areas with commercial and residential uses– Apartments above shops

• Mixed-income housing units– A variety of economic classes living together

Neighborhood Structure

• Discernable edge and center

• Focus is on public space– At center of neighborhood

• Increased density– Highest at center

Smart Transit

• Network connecting neighborhoods together

• Pedestrian-friendly design– Bicycles– Skateboards

Sustainability

• Minimal environmental impact

• Energy efficient

• More local production