New Urbanism is an innovative planning and development philosophy that emphasizes community involvement in creating a cohesive and sustainable built environment. This approach is based on several core principles that are designed to enhance the quality of life within cities and towns:
Walkability: New Urbanism designs prioritize pedestrian traffic over cars, making it easy and safe for people to walk and bike through their communities. This encourages healthy lifestyles and reduces the dependency on vehicles.
Mixed-use development: This approach combines residential, commercial, and public spaces to create vibrant, walkable communities that provide easy access to shops, services, and cultural and recreational activities.
Diversity: New Urbanist communities aim to create a range of housing options and support diversity in age, income, race, and ethnicity. This helps foster social interaction and community engagement.
Sustainability: New Urbanism promotes sustainable development practices, such as the use of green spaces, the integration of public transportation systems, and the reduction of waste and energy consumption.
Smart growth: This principle favors development that balances economic, environmental, and community concerns. It prioritizes infill and redevelopment over sprawl, and encourages reuse of existing structures and open spaces.
Overall, the New Urbanism philosophy represents a shift in urban planning and development, away from the car-centered, suburban sprawl of the late 20th century and towards a more sustainable, community-centric approach. By creating mixed-use, walkable places that foster social interaction and sustainability, New Urbanism holds promise for creating healthier, happier, and more livable cities and towns.