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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more TND information
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