Field Guide to New Urbanism

(Updated May 2009)

New Urbanism combines traditional planning and modern technology to create places that break the conventional suburban mold to strive for environmental balance, social integration and a sense of community amongst a mixture of ethnic groups. Find out if this process of reintegrating the components of modern life is popular with home buyers, planners, government officials, architects, developers, builders and the real estate community. (D. Winchester, Information Specialist)


Selected Features of New Urbanism

Pedestrian-oriented

Climate-sensitive development

Narrow streets

Use of porches & alleys

De-emphasis on garages

Source: New Urbanism is Blooming, (On Common Ground, Summer 2006).

The State of New Urbanism, (On Common Ground, Summer 2002).


Selling New Urbanism  
 

All aboard, (Chain Store Age, Jan. 2009). Q

The street as living room, (Ottawa Citizen, Oct. 20, 2008).

Revitalizing cities with senior-oriented communities, (Long-Term Living, May 2008). Q

Can New Urbanism encourage physical activity?, (Journal of the American Planning Association, Winter 2006). Q

Can we afford New Urbanism, (Pine Magazine, Aug. 26, 2006).

New Urbanism revitalizes an old precedent, (Eastern Edition, June 14, 2006). Q

'New urbanism' embraces Latinos, (USA Today, Feb. 16, 2005).

TND vs. Cul-de-Sac, (Professional Builder, Apr. 2004).Q

Business-Oriented neighborhoods: Their time has come, (Planning, Jan. 2004). Q

Thirteen points of traditional neighborhood development, (New Urbanist Design, 2003).

What's New Urbanism worth?, (Wall Street Journal, Dec. 24, 2003). Q

Testing the claims of New Urbanism, (Journal of the American Planning Association, Autumn 2003).
Q

What was once old is new again: Selling New Urbanism, (On Common Ground, Summer 2003).

Show my house, please; Are real estate practitioners sour on New Urbanism?, (REALTOR® Magazine, Sept. 2001). 


New Urbanism Communities

A tale of three cities, (Chain Store Age, Nov. 2008). Q

Something old, something new, (BusinessReport.com, Oct. 20, 2008).

Tempe's core may serve as new model, (azcentral.com, Oct. 13, 2008).

Gated neighbourhoods in South Africa: an appropriate urban design approach, (Urban Design International, Winter 2008). Q

Wave of new urbanism engulfs Texas coast: Project reflect broad push in beachfront development: Weathering housing woes, (Wall Street Journal, Sept. 19, 2007). Q

New Urbanism taking root in Arkansas towns, (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Oct. 2, 2006).

Applying New Urbanism street principles in downtown Milwaukee, WI, USA, (Institute of Transportation Engineers ITE Journal, May 2006). Q

Mississippi spurning, (Slate Magazine, Jan. 11, 2006).

New urbanism's new attitude slated for 'Upper Rock', (Washington Business Journal, May 28, 2004).

San Diego reinvents itself--and gentrifies, (Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 26, 2004).

Is Kentlands better than Radburn? The American Garden City and the new urbanist paradigms, (Journal of the American Planning Association, Winter 2003). Q

A tale of three cities, (Pacific Northwest Magazine, Feb. 2003).

South Florida discovers the New Urbanism, (National Real Estate Investor, Sept. 2002).

Is new urbanism the cure? A look at central Florida's response, (Real Estate Issues, Fall 2001). Q


New Urbanism Organizations and Communities

Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) - Promotes the principles and practices of New Urbanism. Includes searchable directory of New Urbanist communities throughout the U.S.

Civano, Arizona

Coffee Creek Center, Indiana

Habersham, South Carolina

Kentlands, Maryland

Prospect New Town, Colorado

Seaside, Florida

Southern Village, North Carolina

Vermillion, North Carolina

Village Tannin, Alabama


eBooks & Other Resources

eBooks.realtor.org

The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

Community By Design: New Urbanism for Suburbs and Small Communities (Adobe eReader)

Books, Videos, Research Reports & More

The resources below are available for loan through Information Central.  Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10.  Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.

The New Transit Town: Best Practices in Transit Oriented Development, (Washington, DC: Island Press, 2004). HE 4451 N47

Great Planned Communities, (Chicago, IL: Urban Land Institute, 2002). NAC 1800 Ur1g

New Urbanism: Comprehensive Report and Best Practices Guide, (Ithaca, NY: New Urban Publications, 2001). NAC 250 N42

Community by Design, (New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2001). NAC 1800 H12

Valuing the New Urbanism, (Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute, 2000). NAC 250 UR1v

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