March 2, 2006
Web Site of the Month
Thanks to Eric Fredericks at Walkable Neighborhoods, who named Planning Livable Communities their February Web site of the month!
February 28, 2006
“One Fifth of America: America’s First Suburbs”
"Suburbia" can mean a lot of different things. And there's a major difference between older, more densely populated "inner ring" suburbs and newer, more spread out outer-ring suburbs and exurbs - one that some believe hasn't been adequately studied, since inner-ring communities are often lumped together with the urban areas they surround.
In a new report, One Fifth of America: A Comprehensive Guide to America's First Suburbs, authors Robert Puentes and David Warren at the Brooking Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program conclude that "although first suburbs are indeed beginning to look more and more like cities in some respects and some places, this is by no means ubiquitous. In reality, this work makes it clear that America’s first suburbs are beginning to actually become more separate from the center cities they sometimes surround, and the newer suburbs that sometimes surround them.
"While they are distinctive from the nation, they are also often quite distinctive from each other. This analysis finds that there are clear differences between first suburbs that began developing over a century ago such as places in New England and other parts of the Northeast and Midwest. These first suburbs look very different from those that suburbanized around World War II. ...
"First suburbs were once far less diverse than the nation, now they are more so. Homeownership used to be far more common in first suburbs than in the nation as a whole, now the rates are nearly identical. And while first suburbs still lead the nation in terms of housing value, educational attainment, and income, the gaps are indeed closing."
Interestingly, while in the U.S. as a whole about 19% of the population lives in a "first suburb," in Massachusetts that number is more than twice that: 46% -- just behind Maryland for second-highest percentage in the nation (Connecticut is first at a whopping 64%).
Also notable: "The percent of the elderly in first suburbs is increasing faster than the national rate. The percent of
children is growing slower."
I'd agree that older, inner-ring suburbs are definitely evolving in a different way from both nearby cities and exurbs. And as this unfolds, it's critical for such communities to take advantage of their natural strengths. One is sense of place - many newer communities fail at that. Another is being able to offer the best of "human-scale" advantages to both suburbia -- some privacy and space and greenery -- mixed with some advantages of more urban living -- walkability and retail/commercial/entertainment offerings. That's what appealed to me about living in my Framingham neighborhood: I can have a single-family home with a decent-sized yard, while I'm still able to walk to the library, post office and hardware store (alas, the neighborhood grocery store has closed, but I don't have to drive 10 miles round trip to get to one).
For numbers junkies, there are lots more suburban stats here.
In a new report, One Fifth of America: A Comprehensive Guide to America's First Suburbs, authors Robert Puentes and David Warren at the Brooking Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program conclude that "although first suburbs are indeed beginning to look more and more like cities in some respects and some places, this is by no means ubiquitous. In reality, this work makes it clear that America’s first suburbs are beginning to actually become more separate from the center cities they sometimes surround, and the newer suburbs that sometimes surround them.
"While they are distinctive from the nation, they are also often quite distinctive from each other. This analysis finds that there are clear differences between first suburbs that began developing over a century ago such as places in New England and other parts of the Northeast and Midwest. These first suburbs look very different from those that suburbanized around World War II. ...
"First suburbs were once far less diverse than the nation, now they are more so. Homeownership used to be far more common in first suburbs than in the nation as a whole, now the rates are nearly identical. And while first suburbs still lead the nation in terms of housing value, educational attainment, and income, the gaps are indeed closing."
Interestingly, while in the U.S. as a whole about 19% of the population lives in a "first suburb," in Massachusetts that number is more than twice that: 46% -- just behind Maryland for second-highest percentage in the nation (Connecticut is first at a whopping 64%).
Also notable: "The percent of the elderly in first suburbs is increasing faster than the national rate. The percent of
children is growing slower."
I'd agree that older, inner-ring suburbs are definitely evolving in a different way from both nearby cities and exurbs. And as this unfolds, it's critical for such communities to take advantage of their natural strengths. One is sense of place - many newer communities fail at that. Another is being able to offer the best of "human-scale" advantages to both suburbia -- some privacy and space and greenery -- mixed with some advantages of more urban living -- walkability and retail/commercial/entertainment offerings. That's what appealed to me about living in my Framingham neighborhood: I can have a single-family home with a decent-sized yard, while I'm still able to walk to the library, post office and hardware store (alas, the neighborhood grocery store has closed, but I don't have to drive 10 miles round trip to get to one).
For numbers junkies, there are lots more suburban stats here.
February 26, 2006
One Framingham Or Two?
There's been a discussion thread on the frambors Framingham e-mail list recently about "secession" brought up by one poster, who said that perhaps, if there really are two different Framinghams (north and south), it might make sense for them to actually split. Each "half" would still be larger than many neighboring towns. As you might imagine, there was a lot of opposition to that idea.
My response (not yet posted to the list): Framingham would be best off if we all acknowledged that our community is a collection of neighborhoods as well as a single town, and agree on a Newton/Boston-type model of multiple neighborhood business districts along with a primary, central downtown. Many people don't understand this -- especially some South Side hardliners who equate any improvements north of Rte. 9 as a direct threat, class warfare and/or diabolical attack on downtown. I asked:
Can we all acknowledge a few basic facts?
1. Framingham is a large as well as diverse community.
2. Framingham is physically FULLY HALF THE SIZE OF BOSTON and LARGER IN SIZE THAN NEWTON. Here are the stats.
Framingham: 26 square miles
Newton: 18 square miles
Boston: 48 square miles
3. While well-located in terms of being at a high population-density area, downtown Framingham is not physically located in the center of town. This is not a criticism, but simply a fact. There had to be a choice as to whether to locate downtown where the highest concentration of people is (one good decision) or physically where it's most convenient to the most areas of town (another potentially good decision). But the fact is, downtown Framingham is not equally convenient to all outer areas of the community. Instead, it is located on one side of town.
4. Traffic in town has increased over the past few decades, making it less convenient and more time consuming to get from one side of town to another. (Note: I don't have numbers on this right now, but simply my own experience. But I do believe traffic numbers would back this up.)
OK then.
My response (not yet posted to the list): Framingham would be best off if we all acknowledged that our community is a collection of neighborhoods as well as a single town, and agree on a Newton/Boston-type model of multiple neighborhood business districts along with a primary, central downtown. Many people don't understand this -- especially some South Side hardliners who equate any improvements north of Rte. 9 as a direct threat, class warfare and/or diabolical attack on downtown. I asked:
Can we all acknowledge a few basic facts?
1. Framingham is a large as well as diverse community.
2. Framingham is physically FULLY HALF THE SIZE OF BOSTON and LARGER IN SIZE THAN NEWTON. Here are the stats.
Framingham: 26 square miles
Newton: 18 square miles
Boston: 48 square miles
3. While well-located in terms of being at a high population-density area, downtown Framingham is not physically located in the center of town. This is not a criticism, but simply a fact. There had to be a choice as to whether to locate downtown where the highest concentration of people is (one good decision) or physically where it's most convenient to the most areas of town (another potentially good decision). But the fact is, downtown Framingham is not equally convenient to all outer areas of the community. Instead, it is located on one side of town.
4. Traffic in town has increased over the past few decades, making it less convenient and more time consuming to get from one side of town to another. (Note: I don't have numbers on this right now, but simply my own experience. But I do believe traffic numbers would back this up.)
OK then.
Hudson’s Revival
Globe West Weekly takes a look at Hudson's downtown revitalization, noting that "a newcomer with fresh ideas helped spark a revival in Hudson."
The piece also notes an increase in foot traffic -- almost always a good sign of how well a neighborhood business district is doing.
There's been more than $5 million in public and private money poured into Hudson's relatively small downtown. Government projects include a "canal walk."
The renaissance started in part when a town employee, Michelle Ciccolo, thought it would be a good idea to get better landscaping and street lights -- in other words, an improved pedestrian streetscape -- as part of a Rte. 62/Main Street upgrade project. Executive assistant Paul Blazar agreed, and put the idea on a Town Meeting warrant. Residents approved it. Ciccolo then began seeking -- and winning -- state grants to help improve the downtown. Hudson is in the last stages of a two-year state-sponsored program to renovate the exteriors of five downtown businesses," the article notes. "Soon businesses were adopting areas of town to beautify, leading to a landscaped alley that guides shoppers to South Street."
Framingham still keeps talking about how to improve the downtown business district. Meanwhile, other communities from Waltham to Hudson are way farther along in actually revamping their downtowns into pedestrian-appealing neighborhoods with businesses that draw people both within and beyond walking distance. No matter what community you read about, you'll find that streetscape improvements are a critical part of the mix. Things like better sidewalks, trees, improved building fronts aren't simply frills; they're vital components into turning around any neighborhood business center.
"Walk along Main Street and you'll find gourmet French-inspired food at Chloe's American Bistro, local artwork and one-of-a-kind gifts at Lottie Ta-dah, handmade crafts and jewelry at Serendipity, back-to-basics toys at Toy Boat (''Our motto is no batteries required"), and live jazz and folk music at Harvest Café.
The four-story Esplanade, a condo complex for people ages 55 and over, has replaced the crumbling foundations of mill buildings at the edge of downtown. Its 140 units feature granite counters and Bosch washers and sell for up to $300,000."
The piece also notes an increase in foot traffic -- almost always a good sign of how well a neighborhood business district is doing.
There's been more than $5 million in public and private money poured into Hudson's relatively small downtown. Government projects include a "canal walk."
The renaissance started in part when a town employee, Michelle Ciccolo, thought it would be a good idea to get better landscaping and street lights -- in other words, an improved pedestrian streetscape -- as part of a Rte. 62/Main Street upgrade project. Executive assistant Paul Blazar agreed, and put the idea on a Town Meeting warrant. Residents approved it. Ciccolo then began seeking -- and winning -- state grants to help improve the downtown. Hudson is in the last stages of a two-year state-sponsored program to renovate the exteriors of five downtown businesses," the article notes. "Soon businesses were adopting areas of town to beautify, leading to a landscaped alley that guides shoppers to South Street."
Framingham still keeps talking about how to improve the downtown business district. Meanwhile, other communities from Waltham to Hudson are way farther along in actually revamping their downtowns into pedestrian-appealing neighborhoods with businesses that draw people both within and beyond walking distance. No matter what community you read about, you'll find that streetscape improvements are a critical part of the mix. Things like better sidewalks, trees, improved building fronts aren't simply frills; they're vital components into turning around any neighborhood business center.
February 25, 2006
Durham to Spend Millions on Pedestrian Improvements
"Durham [N.C.] will spend nearly $5 million on pedestrian improvements in the next few years, including adding crosswalks and signals where needed," WRAL reports. "A new plan maps out how to make Durham more pedestrian-friendly. Right now, there are 450 miles of sidewalk and nearly 1,500 miles of streets."
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