City planners, architects, developers, and others are working together to create more balanced, compact and walkable neighborhoods and city districts. New Urbanism is based on principles of environmental responsibility, mixed-use development and efficient access to both work and play. From modest beginnings, the trend is growing to have a substantial impact. More than 500 new towns, villages, and neighborhoods are built or under construction in the US, using principles of New Urbanism. Additionally, hundreds more smaller-scale New Urban projects are restoring the urban fabric of cities and towns by reestablishing walkable streets and blocks in communities throughout the country.
On the regional scale, New Urbanism is having a growing influence on how and where metropolitan regions choose to grow. Large-scale planning initiatives now commonly incorporate new urban planning ideas — such as walkable neighborhoods, transit-oriented development, and sociable, pedestrian-scale streets. Form-based codes and better-connected street networks are two instruments by which New Urban ideas are being implemented.
And we are well poised to lead the way in the principals of New Urbanism. We were among the first in the field to earn certification in form-based code and have vast experience in greenlighting mixed-use projects. We assist government entities in developing these districts – whether through wholesale changes to municipality’s zoning and subdivision codes, or through targeted initiatives for a particular area.
Because of our intimate understanding of local government processes and planning objectives, we can assist private developers seeking entitlements for New Urbanism projects whose design and densities are likely inconsistent with existing codes. Our experience has included the drafting of comprehensive plans, zoning codes and architectural design regulations incorporating smart growth and New Urbanist concepts. We have also represented a variety of clients undertaking projects infused with New Urbanist principles, including mixed-use, transit-oriented town centers and entirely new neighborhoods.