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 New Urbanism, a neo-traditional town planning movement, has earned widespread public attention since the first new urbanist housing developments were built in the early 1980s. |
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Will New Urbanism developments become exclusive enclaves for the rich? How does public transportation fit into New Urbanism design? Are New Urbanism developments financially successful? Can New Urbanism developments feel genuine? Does New Urbanism apply to existing urban areas? Is there a list of New Urbanism communities?
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 Returning
to the classic American "main street" with its narrow, walkable
streets and mixed use buildings, new urbanists hope to build community
and combat the sterile anonymity that seems to have overtaken many American
suburbs. But many experts in planning and development remain unconvinced
that new urbanism is the cure for suburban ills. They dismiss the movement
as nostalgic, even "saccharine," and say its brand-new antique
look seems as artificial as ever. Traditional suburbs, they argue, offer
many residents exactly what they want: detached, single-family homes with
yards and large garages.
Two experts take your questions on suburban sprawl and town planning. Dorn C. McGrath is professor of urban regional planning and the director of the Institute for Environmental Research at George Washington University. Jeff Speck is a town planner at Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. and a co-author of Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. Next: Will New Urbanism developments become exclusive enclaves for the rich? |
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