Monday, March 3, 2008

New Urbanism in Altonville

I've been intersted in New Urbanism for ages, now I intend to put it into use in Altonville. Essentially, this is a recent development in town planning that seeks to make communities more liveable and more sustainable.

There are 10 Principles of New Urbanism, and I intend for Altonville to support all of them:
  1. Walkability - The town center will be free of cars, and a tram system will ultimately provide access to all corners of the town
  2. Connectivity - There will be a wide range of transport options, including the tram, bike paths, and a rail link into the City; streets will be arranged on a grid system, with few dead-ends or cul-de-sacs (to the degree that this is practical in the confined space of the model!)
  3. Mixed Use & Diversity - Retail, office, and residential facilities will be prevalent throughout the town center
  4. Mixed Housing - Freestanding houses, apartments, and live-work lofts will be available; I also expect to have more modest housing available
  5. Quality Architecture & Urban Design - While the legacy of a typical American small town will be the foundation of the architecture, new elements will fit well, and public art will be displayed throughout significant public spaces
  6. Traditional Neighborhood Structure - Highest densities of business, public facilities, and housing will be in the town center
  7. Increased Density - The concentration of facilities in the center will help accomplish this, underscored by the higher density of the Mill
  8. Smart Transportation - The combination of pedestrian, bike, and public transport will virtually eliminate the need for personal cars
  9. Sustainability - This will be achieved through local production of food, a visible recycling program, use of alternative energies (wind turbines & solar), and energy-saving measures like green rooftop technologies
  10. Quality of Life - The public facilities (also including a campground and watersports), thriving public spaces, and inclusive local government will help to ensure this

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