From: rkay@ausom.oz.au (Richard Kay)
Newsgroups: alt.planning.urban
Subject: Re: Neotraditional Planning Techniques
Date: 25 Jul 92 02:15:06 GMT
Organization: AUSOM - The Apple Users Society of Melbourne

dtasman@mccoy.NMSU.Edu (Dan Tasman) writes:

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

Ahhh! Now I'm with you. There is currently a push within planning
circles here in Australia to promote neotraditional planning techniques
in the design of new communities and in neighbourhood
redevelopment.

The greatest challenges facing planners here is how to increase
housing affordability and how to reduce suburban sprawl while at the
same time creating communities that are sustainable, safe and stimulating.

A number of performance-orientated development codes which incorporate
as design elements many of the items listed by you are currently being
prepared at federal and state government level.

These Codes are likely to be adopted as "official" planning policies
at state government level in the not too distant future. This would mean
that new developments which conformed to the design principles espoused
in these policies would be "fast-tracked" through the approval process
and probably allowed "as of right" without expensive and time-consuming
public consultation. This is the "carrot" for developers you see. :-)

At the moment there is a general community resistance to this approach to
community design - it seems the community wants more of the same regardless
of the cost! Australians are very conservative and of course we love our
wide streets, huge backyards and unending front yards! ;-)

There have,to date, been a few examples built on the ground. It is hoped
that as more get built and people have an opportunity to experience an
alternative form of community design the concept will catch on. It seems
the USA is well ahead of us in this respect. ;-)

DT> I could post a GIF of Kentlands or Seaside when I get my hands on a
DT> copy of Planning or Urban Land that has a picture of the
DT> developments in them. It really looks nice, and it's a different
DT> approach to now communities than previously distinguished new towns
DT> (Reston VA, Valencia CA, Columbia MD, etc.)

Please do! I'd be most interested.

Richard.

PS: Sorry for the delayed posting but I'm currently shifting offices
and I have the King Island Planning Scheme and the Arthur River Development
Plan on the boil at the moment!
-- 
| Richard Kay          | Telephone: (003) 36-2801      +61 03 362801 |
| PO Box 1567          | Facsimile: (003) 36-2873      +61 03 362873 |
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