New Urban News

A professional newsletter for planners, developers, architects, builders, public officials and others who are interested in the creation of human-scale communities.

June 2008, Vol. 13, No. 4

Newest eco-development model:

‘Agricultural urbanism’

Farms and gardens would be key to a self-sustaining 2,000-home development envisioned in British Columbia.

Where New Urbanism is strong — and where it’s weak

The New Urbanism is growing nationwide, but in some places more than others, an analysis of the movement’s geographical distribution shows.

Biking needs a boost in American cities

The US, where cycling is risky and rare, can learn from a Rutgers study of the top cycling countries in Europe.

Commentary:

We can’t let NIMBYs sink reform

A case can be made that NIMBYs (not-in-my-backyarders) pose a serious threat. That’s right: The neighbors who fight, to their dying breath, a zoning change or a “high-density” development — anything that has more people per acre than their subdivision — are a societal plague.

Letters to the editor

Available in print only:

Gas prices shift housing demand toward cities

New Urban News has reported for some time, based on observations and published stories, that urban neighborhoods have performed better than suburban ones in the recent housing market downturn. Now that claim is backed up by empirical evidence.

Habitat for Humanity opts for TND in Greensboro

The nation’s largest nonprofit builder — known for a barebones approach — is moving forward with an ambitious and diverse neighborhood.

Guide to narrow-lot development

180 Degree Urban Design + Architecture has produced a “Narrow Lot Design Guidelines” booklet to enable people to build on the lots in ways that will fit the surroundings.

Paul Crawford, 60, planner turned new urbanist

Paul Crawford, a nationally known expert on form-based codes and a practitioner admired among new urbanists, died of a brain tumor May 21 at his home in San Luis Obispo, California. He was 60.

Book reviews:

New Urbanism and Beyond: Designing Cities for the Future

Tradition Today: Continuity in Architecture and Society

Also: CNU update

Plus: Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability • Growing Cooler • Doug Farr has begun a national series of training seminars • University of Miami’s Center for Urban and Community Design • “Light Imprint New Urbanism” • Baxter Village • “Mississippi Cottages” • Larry Beasley • Long Savannah • Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems encourage transit-oriented development (TOD) • Transportation Policy Research Group at the University of Maryland • Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk • Jennifer Henry • Kenneth Schwartz • Ann Daigle • A $100 million fund that will invest in urban mixed-income housing.