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The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community

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The New Urbanism is a movement in architecture and planning that seeks to create more sustainable, livable, and equitable communities. This book explores the principles and practices of New Urbanism, and how they can be used to create better places to live, work, and play.

The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community

by Peter Katz

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	65443 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	493 pages

The Principles of New Urbanism

The New Urbanism is based on a set of principles that emphasize:

Walkability: New Urbanist communities are designed to be walkable, with a mix of uses and destinations within easy walking distance of each other.
Connectivity: New Urbanist communities are well-connected, with a network of streets, sidewalks, and bike paths that make it easy to get around without a car.
Diversity: New Urbanist communities are diverse, with a mix of housing types, incomes, and ages. This diversity helps to create a more vibrant and inclusive community.
Sustainability: New Urbanist communities are designed to be sustainable, with a focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.

The Practices of New Urbanism

The principles of New Urbanism are put into practice through a variety of design and planning techniques, including:

Mixed-use development: New Urbanist communities often feature a mix of housing, retail, office, and other uses. This mix helps to create a more vibrant and walkable community.
Traditional neighborhood design: New Urbanist communities are often designed around traditional neighborhood design principles, which emphasize a grid-like street pattern, a mix of housing types, and a central public space.
Transit-oriented development: New Urbanist communities are often located near transit stops, making it easy for residents to get around without a car.
Green building: New Urbanist communities often incorporate green building practices, such as energy-efficient appliances, water-saving fixtures, and recycled materials.

The Benefits of New Urbanism

New Urbanism offers a number of benefits over traditional development patterns, including:

Increased walkability and connectivity: New Urbanist communities are more walkable and connected than traditional developments, which makes it easier for residents to get around without a car.
Reduced traffic congestion: New Urbanist communities can help to reduce traffic congestion by providing more transportation options and making it easier to get around without a car.
Improved air quality: New Urbanist communities can help to improve air quality by reducing traffic congestion and promoting walking and biking.
Increased social interaction: New Urbanist communities are designed to encourage social interaction, with a focus on creating public spaces and walkable streets.
Increased property values: New Urbanist communities often have higher property values than traditional developments, due to their desirability and walkability.

The New Urbanism is a promising approach to creating more sustainable, livable, and equitable communities. By embracing the principles and practices of New Urbanism, we can create better places to live, work, and play.

To learn more about the New Urbanism, I encourage you to read this book. It is a comprehensive guide to the principles and practices of New Urbanism, and it will help you to understand how this approach can be used to create better communities.

Thank you for your interest in the New Urbanism.

About the Author

Peter Calthorpe is an architect and urban planner who is considered to be one of the founders of the New Urbanism movement. He is the author of several books on New Urbanism, including The New Urbanism: Toward an Architecture of Community and Urbanism in the Age of Climate Change.

Calthorpe has designed numerous New Urbanist communities around the world, including the award-winning town of Kentlands, Maryland. He is also a professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley.

Peter Calthorpe The New Urbanism: Toward An Architecture Of Community