March 31, 2004
New Urbanism in Massachusetts
Where can you see "New Urbanism" projects in Massachusetts? New Urban News has put together a list of projects around the U.S. , including a dozen here in the Bay State. They include Assembly Square in Somerville, Fan Pier in Boston, University Park in Cambridge and the Village at Hospital Hill in Northhampton.
Sprawl Is Inefficient
"Modern suburban growth that separates residential and commercial development is inefficient, deters pedestrian use and causes gridlock, said Jeff Speck, a planner and leader of the New Urbanism movement," the Mobile Register reports from a conference on smart growth.
Although called "New Urbanism," the movement is actually highly relevant for suburbs, because its goals are to return to traditional, pre-World War II community design: streets equally good for walking and driving, and neighborhood destinations that are possible and appealing to walk to -- local shops, human-scale offices and so on.
"In his presentation, Speck showed a picture of a suburban convenience store: a rectangular shaped business, the storefront surrounded by a parking lot. He said residents do not want that type of design in their neighborhoods. But put that store in a building that looks like others in the area, Speck said, and it can benefit the neighborhood," the article notes.
Speck is co-author of one of my favorite books and community planning, Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. I can't recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in creating pedestrian-friendly, livable communities.
Although called "New Urbanism," the movement is actually highly relevant for suburbs, because its goals are to return to traditional, pre-World War II community design: streets equally good for walking and driving, and neighborhood destinations that are possible and appealing to walk to -- local shops, human-scale offices and so on.
"In his presentation, Speck showed a picture of a suburban convenience store: a rectangular shaped business, the storefront surrounded by a parking lot. He said residents do not want that type of design in their neighborhoods. But put that store in a building that looks like others in the area, Speck said, and it can benefit the neighborhood," the article notes.
Speck is co-author of one of my favorite books and community planning, Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. I can't recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in creating pedestrian-friendly, livable communities.
March 29, 2004
Does Where You Live Affect Your Waistline?
The University of Minnesota is launching a study to investigate "the relationship between how neighborhoods are built and how much walking people do," the Pioneer Press reports.
Your neighborhood environment may be a key factor in how much you choose to walk instead of drive, Kathryn Schmitz, assistant professor in the university's School of Public Health, told the paper.
"Are trees more important (to walkers) than street lights? Are short blocks more important than being separated from cars?'' she said, according to the article.
"The study, paid for by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of New Jersey, may identify factors that can be used by urban planners," the article notes. The hope is that results will help planners not only create more appealing communities, but help in the fight against obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
The foundation sponsored earlier research that showed a link between suburban sprawl, activity levels and obesity (see report, PDF format).
Your neighborhood environment may be a key factor in how much you choose to walk instead of drive, Kathryn Schmitz, assistant professor in the university's School of Public Health, told the paper.
"Are trees more important (to walkers) than street lights? Are short blocks more important than being separated from cars?'' she said, according to the article.
"The study, paid for by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of New Jersey, may identify factors that can be used by urban planners," the article notes. The hope is that results will help planners not only create more appealing communities, but help in the fight against obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
The foundation sponsored earlier research that showed a link between suburban sprawl, activity levels and obesity (see report, PDF format).
Seminars For Rails-to-Trails Projects
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is sponsoring a Trails and Greenways Seminar Series "to bring you information you need to build, advocate for and manage your trail," the organization announced. Programs throughout the spring include fundraising, design, maintenance and land acquisition. For full details, visit the RTC Web site.
March 28, 2004
$52M Arcade Project OK’d For Downtown Framingham
In a meeting that ended after 1 a.m., the Planning Board approved a major mixed-use project that will bring 260 apartments, 40 hotel rooms and 50,000 square feet of commercial and office space to downtown Framingham, the MetroWest Daily News reports.
I haven't seen Arcade design plans yet, but I fervently hope that great attention is placed on making an attractive, inviting streetscape around the complex.
Mixed use is a great idea, but mixed use alone will not revitalize downtown. Design is critical.
Imagine a wide, well-landscaped front patio area, with an outdoor eating area in the nice weather (restaurant or cafe), interesting store fronts that appeal to pedestrians strolling by. Sort of a Copley Square feel on a smaller scale.
If the Arcade project is going to be set in a sea of uninviting asphalt and concrete, it's not going to do much for the surrounding neighborhood.
Have you ever been to Detroit? The Renaissance Center was supposed to revitalize downtown there, it brought all sorts of great mixed-use space, but it was a hideous monstrosity of "modern architecture" -- massive, cold, dark, confusing and off-putting. Or, think of the failed Lafayette Place in downtown Boston.
Don't mimic a mall in a downtown setting, because the downtown usually loses -- it can NEVER be as drive-in convenient. But it can win big-time if it creates what malls can't match -- a sense of place. Successful revitalizations like Waltham's Moody Street do this not only with a careful mix of residential, commercial and retail, but with an inviting streetscape, creating a destination where people want to arrive, park and stroll.
I haven't seen Arcade design plans yet, but I fervently hope that great attention is placed on making an attractive, inviting streetscape around the complex.
Mixed use is a great idea, but mixed use alone will not revitalize downtown. Design is critical.
Imagine a wide, well-landscaped front patio area, with an outdoor eating area in the nice weather (restaurant or cafe), interesting store fronts that appeal to pedestrians strolling by. Sort of a Copley Square feel on a smaller scale.
If the Arcade project is going to be set in a sea of uninviting asphalt and concrete, it's not going to do much for the surrounding neighborhood.
Have you ever been to Detroit? The Renaissance Center was supposed to revitalize downtown there, it brought all sorts of great mixed-use space, but it was a hideous monstrosity of "modern architecture" -- massive, cold, dark, confusing and off-putting. Or, think of the failed Lafayette Place in downtown Boston.
Don't mimic a mall in a downtown setting, because the downtown usually loses -- it can NEVER be as drive-in convenient. But it can win big-time if it creates what malls can't match -- a sense of place. Successful revitalizations like Waltham's Moody Street do this not only with a careful mix of residential, commercial and retail, but with an inviting streetscape, creating a destination where people want to arrive, park and stroll.
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