New urban codes have allowed cities and towns to code for complete neighborhoods and public spaces as shared-use places. Since the middle of the 20th Century, zoning has been a force toward … [Read more...]
Great idea: Mixed-use urban centers
In the 20th Century, retail shifted from main streets and downtowns to strip shopping centers, enclosed malls, and big box stores. Building and revitalizing urban centers is one of the great tasks of the New Urbanism, … [Read more...]
Great idea: Incremental development
Great places are built in small increments, and urbanists are restoring America's know-how and capacity for small-scale development by many individuals in their own communities. Do you want to be a small … [Read more...]
Great idea: Missing middle housing
Increasingly in demand today, missing middle housing forms the backbone of the quintessential American neighborhood. In celebration of the upcoming CNU 25.Seattle, Public Square is running the … [Read more...]
Great idea: Interconnected street networks
In celebration of the upcoming CNU 25.Seattle, Public Square is running the series 25 Great Ideas of the New Urbanism. These ideas have been shaped by new urbanists and continue to influence cities, towns, and suburbs. … [Read more...]
Building better suburbs through retrofit
Urbanism is not just about cities. The Charter of the New Urbanism calls for "the reconfiguration of sprawling suburbs into communities of real neighborhoods and diverse districts." That "reconfiguration" has inspired … [Read more...]
Ten reasons to build community through urban design
There are two models for development of cities and towns. One, the neighborhood model, founded on thousands of years of trial and error, brings us closer together. We build cities that bring us … [Read more...]
Traditional cities (like Frederick) are having a big decade
Strong demand for historic downtowns and neighborhoods brings a surge of population at a level not seen in 70 years. Traditional American cities like Seattle, New Orleans, New York City, and … [Read more...]