From: lamaster@viking.arc.nasa.gov (Hugh LaMaster -- RCS)
Subject: Re: Neotraditional Planning Techniques?
Organization: RIACS, NASA Ames Research Center
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 92 17:29:49 GMT

In article <1992Jul22.031429.7332@nmsu.edu>, dtasman@mccoy.NMSU.Edu (Dan Tasman) writes:


|> In its most basic form, neotraditional planning involves taking qualities of  
|> older communities, specifically those dating to pre-WWII.  The intent is to  
|> create a village or small town atmosphere in a suburb, a sense of place in an  
|> area that is normally indistinguishable from the surrounding area. 
|> 
|> Some characteristics of neotraditional communities include:
|> * Alleys through the middle of a block, decreasing the effect of cars on a  
|> street.
|> * Older style architecture, usually Georgian, Federal, Colonial and Bungalow  
|> styles.
|> * Small front and side yard setbacks. 
|> * Narrow streets laid out in a grid, instead of wide twisting suburban streets.   
|> Streets also have less of a heirarchy of function than typical suburban roads  
|> (we all know about local streets, collector streets, minor arterials and major  
|> arterials :)

Some readers of this group may be interested in Village Homes, Davis, CA.
Village Homes was a successful SUBurban development which followed a different
model.  The purpose of the layout was to make it possible for bicycles and
pedestrians to avoid frequent street crossings, and, to follow the correct
Solar orientation - most of the houses are passive solar houses.

The layout works well, in my opinion.  It is more or less something like this,
(this is just the schematic, the physical layout is more attractive):


   V----Bicycle/Pedestrian Way              Automobile Street  ---V

   |___________________________________________________________   ||
   |                                                              ||
   |  ============================================================ |
   |___________________________________________________________   ||
   |                                                              ||
   |  ============================================================ |
   |___________________________________________________________   ||
   |                                                              ||
   |  ============================================================ |
   |___________________________________________________________   ||
   |                                                              ||


Density is pretty typical for a suburban development.  Houses are
typically fairly close together East-West, to allow more North-South spacing.
Yards are generally not fenced, although small fenced areas are permitted.
A lot of people take advantage of the fact that the climate is excellent
for growing fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

The passive solar aspect works well, too, and most of the houses
are quite comfortable and use little energy.  Many (all?) of the houses have
solar water heaters for domestic hot water.  Most of the houses were built by the 
developer, but many were built from individual architect/builder designs
(ie  it is not a cookie-cutter development, and many of the houses are unique.)


The downside is that, from an urban planning standpoint, it is a typical, low
density suburb.  However, IF you are going to build a suburb, it should incorporate
most of the design features:  Space for children, bicycles, a community commons/
community center, with some nearby business space.  The passive solar works.  The
houses are attractive.  If you are in the vicinity of Sacramento, Davis is about
10 miles west, and Village Homes is on the west end of town.  Check it out.

With respect to the Neotraditional approach, the Village Homes approach is 
actually a lot more practical, because, frankly, alley type planning, while visually
attractive, is still street-centered, and therefore, in our age, automobile-
centered.  The only way you can give pedestrians and bicyclists protection 
from the automobile is to quarantine the auto, which is what Village Homes
does.

-- 
  Hugh LaMaster, M/S 233-9,     UUCP:      ames!lamaster
  NASA Ames Research Center     Internet:  lamaster@ames.arc.nasa.gov
  Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000  Or:        lamaster@george.arc.nasa.gov 
  Phone:  415/604-1056                     #include <usenet/std_disclaimer.h> 
Newsgroups: alt.planning.urban