On the other hand, a mixture of many varieties of single homes, multiplexes, townhomes, apartments, retail buildings, offices and civic uses has greater resilience and flexibility over a long period of time. New urbanist projects are successful socially because they are designed in the form of places that Americans love best. Houses are lined up close to narrow streets with slow moving traffic. Porches, trees and architectural details give streets character. Greens, plazas and parks provide neighborhood gathering places and offer ideal locations for civic buildings.
Parking is provided on the street or in the interior of blocks.
But creating a new urbanist plan would require work, because it means that planners, officials and developers would have to step out of the rut that they have been in for a half century. It would demand additional planning, education, time and perhaps resources on the part of the city. In the long run, the rewards are greater if they take the difficult route. Rob Steuteville lives in the City of Ithaca and publishes New Urban News , a professional newsletter covering traditional town planning and development.