This checklist outlines the major elements of New Urbanism design. It is designed to be useful for a variety of individuals. For example, developers who are creating plans for new development projects, or intending to retrofit existing suburban communities, can use it to evaluate their design for all the elements for success. The municipal planner can use the checklist to examine incoming proposals and determine whether plans truly represent the elements of traditional neighborhood development. The planner can also use the checklist to test the authenticity of development plans claiming to be designed with the elements of Traditional Neighborhood Design. For the public, the checklist provides useful information about the qualities of the New Urbanism design philosophy and allows them to participate and better scrutinize the planning development process for new projects.
New Urbanism offers a comprehensive and thorough approach to addressing all of the elements that promote the sustainability and welfare of our communities. Because the design of spaces matters to the vibrancy and livability of a community, this New Urbanism checklist calls for design that encourages sustainable community, clearly defined boundaries, pedestrian oriented design and respect for local heritage & cultural traditions. The New Urbanist approach understands that the types of uses, the way they are distributed and their connection to each other are bedrock principles for creating healthy communities. Therefore, this New Urbanist checklist establishes clear standards for integration of uses, variety of residential housing types, and range of public spaces, and support of the public realm.
Ultimately, community health and longevity are directly proportional to the degree of connections to, through, within, and outside the community. Community roadways and pathways are the skeleton that supports the body of the entire community. Therefore, this New Urbanist checklist requires standards for street layout, comprehensive bike systems, flexible policy, and regulation.
> Click to view New Urbanism Checklist
Any change to an existing facility, such as the adjustment, connection, or disconnection of equipment.
