Small Area Plan 1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Neo- Traditional Development Design Concept Interest in neo- traditional design has been growing in recent years as the negative effects of low- density sprawl are becoming more apparent in the form of traffic congestion, loss of open space, and social isolation. The primary aim of neo- traditional development is to. reproduce the strong feeling of community found in older, established neighborhoods (usually pre -World War II) by creating pedestrian- friendly, mixed -use environments. This goal can be accomplished by incorporating the following principles: • Reduced automobile dependency • Integration, not separation, of land uses • Inward neighborhood focus, not dispersal of destinations • Streets as focal points, not mere thoroughfares • Revival of social interaction and shared community vision • Flexible design guidelines, not rigid engineering standards Most neo - traditional developments have different design features from those found in conventional subdivisions. Examples of neo - traditional neighborhoods are Seaside, FL, Kentlands, MD, and Southern Village in Chapel Hill, NC. Some of the more prominent features of neo - traditional design are: • Street design - narrow, grid or modified grid patterns with tree -lined sidewalks • Parking - on- street, behind buildings, or in alleys, not in parking lots or in household garages facing streets • Open Space - neighborhood parks, public greens, and protected floodplains • Building setbacks - shallow or none • Commercial/Office areas - main street and neighborhood areas, not strip centers and malls • Land uses - mixed -uses, heterogeneous. Essentially an outgrowth of neo - traditional design, transit- oriented development attempts to - further reduce automobile dependency by creating a more urban, densely - populated environment which can support rail or other forms of public transportation. While most neo - traditional developments try to recreate small town America, transit - oriented design attempts to create a new suburban style of living. For example, neo - traditional developments have an average net density of 3 to 7 dwelling units (du) per acre, while - transit oriented developments Stoney Creek Basin Area Plan, 28