What is New Urbanism?

After 50 years of living in places that are far from work, entertainment and institutional buildings, there has been an increased demand for places that have it all. Places where residents, if they so desire, can live quite comfortably without an automobile. Where most of the daily activities are located within walking distance and are connected by attractive streets and public spaces. In addition, it would be ideal to have a variety of travel options, housing for all and protected natural areas. An attempt to deliver these amenities in one package is a form of planning called new urbanism.

New Urbanism is an international movement to reform the design of the built environment, and is about raising our quality of life and standard of living by creating better places to live. New Urbanism promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant, mixed-use communities (referred to as TNDs – Traditional Neighborhood Developments). These can contain some or all of the following components:

- Housing (many new urban neighborhoods contain multiple types of housing)
- Work Places
- Shops
- Entertainment
- Schools
- Parks
- Civic Facilities

New Urbanism promotes walking, biking, jogging, or rollerblading to neighborhood destinations, as a way to increase interactivity between residents, cut down on traffic, and create a sense of community.

Currently, there are over 500 New Urbanist projects planned or under construction in the United States alone.

Principles of New Urbansim

Walkability

-Most things within a 10-minute walk of home and work
-Pedestrian friendly street design (buildings close to street; porches, windows & doors; tree-lined streets; hidden parking lots; slow speed streets, sidewalks) Mixed-Use & Diversity
-A mix of shops, offices, commercial structures (such as the YMCA in Legacy’s Heartland Village), and homes on site.
-Diversity of people - of ages, classes, cultures, and races

Mixed Housing

-A range of types, sizes and prices in closer proximity (multifamily units, duplexes, single family, and assisted living).
-Quality Architecture & Urban Design
-Emphasis on beauty, aesthetics, comfort, and creating a sense of place; Special placement of civic uses and sites within community.

Traditional Neighborhood Structure

-Discernable center and edge
-Importance of quality public open space
-Contains a range of uses and densities within 10-minute walk

Increased Density

More buildings, residences, shops, and services closer together for ease of walking, to enable a more efficient use of services and resources, and to create a more convenient, enjoyable place to live.

Smart Transportation

Pedestrian-friendly design that encourages a greater use of bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and walking as daily transportation

Benefits of Living in a New Urbanist Community

- Higher quality of life
- Better places to live, work, & play
- Higher, more stable property values
- Less traffic congestion & less driving
- Healthier lifestyle with more walking, and less stress
- Close proximity to bike trails, parks, and nature
- Pedestrian friendly communities offer more opportunities to get to know others in the neighborhood and town, resulting in meaningful relationships with more people, and a friendlier town
- More freedom and independence to children and elderly without the need for a car or someone to drive them
- Less ugly, congested sprawl to deal with daily
- Better sense of place and community identity with more unique architecture
- More open space to enjoy that will remain open space