Traditional
neighborhood communities. Neo-classical neighborhoods.
Traditional neighborhood developments (TNDs). Whatever they
are called, there is a ground swell of acceptance for communities
influenced by New Urbanism - a discipline of design and planning
that strives for more livable neighborhoods and greater sense of
community.
“ New” urbanism is a bit of a misnomer, as communities like Cherry
Hill Village are designed with the elements and characteristics of
thriving small towns that populated America before WWII.
After the war the baby boom generation was being born and the
demand for affordable housing was met by the construction huge
suburban housing developments - accessible only by the auto.
America was mobile, growing, and embracing all that was new.
People were leaving urban centers and moving to the suburbs. It
was the beginning of suburban sprawl.
In the early 80s, Robert Davis, a real estate developer in Florida,
was weary of the suburban sprawl being built across America. He
and his team of architects believed there must be a better way to
develop new housing that retained the vibrancy of traditional small
towns.
They compiled a list of characteristics and components universal to
successful urban centers that could be incorporated in the design
and planning of new communities: |
| • |
Homes
are within a five-minute walk to the village center,
about one-quarter mile from the community center to outer-most
edge |
| • |
A
variety of home types, sizes and price ranges to attract
residents at various life stages |
| • |
Commercial
shops, civic buildings, public places and residences
are all found within the village |
| • |
Numerous
playlots, parks and other open spaces |
| • |
A
network of streets, walking and bike paths provide convenient
alternatives for travel within the community |
| • |
Streets
are relatively narrow, where drivers instinctively drive
slower |
| • |
Buildings
are close to the streets and sidewalks, creating the
equivalent of an outdoor room |
| • |
Most
residential parking is orientated to the rear of homes |
| • |
There
is a central public outdoor space for community gatherings,
defined by surrounding buildings |
| • |
A
regulatory plan that encourages successful growth and
the quality of public spaces |
Davis
successfully tested these findings by designing and building
Seaside, a thriving community on the Gulf of Mexico
in Florida,
proving that new construction could foster a healthy
sense of
community and provide an economically viable alternative
to
suburban sprawl.
This holistic approach to the design and structure
of new
communities was the beginning of the New Urbanism movement.
These fundamental tenants are the foundation of Cherry
Hill Village.
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