The New Urbanism is a design movement that has gained momentum in recent decades, offering a fresh perspective on urban planning and development. It seeks to create sustainable, vibrant, and people-centered communities, challenging the status quo of suburban sprawl and car-centric cities. This article explores the background, defining elements, terminology, organizations promoting the New Urbanism, criticism of the movement, and provides a list of examples in the United States.

Background
The New Urbanism emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the growing challenges of urban development, such as traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and the social isolation caused by car-dependent lifestyles. The movement was a reaction to the post-World War II urban planning that favored sprawling suburbs, single-use zoning, and automobile-oriented infrastructure. With the advent of mass-produced automobiles and the construction of highways, urban areas began to expand horizontally, leading to the loss of green spaces, increased pollution, and social disconnection. The New Urbanism sought to address these issues by proposing a return to the principles of traditional urban design.

Defining Elements
• Mixed-Use Development: One of the fundamental principles of the New Urbanism is the creation of mixed-use neighborhoods. In these communities, residential, commercial, and recreational spaces are integrated into a compact and walkable environment. This encourages people to live, work, and play in the same neighborhood, reducing the need for long commutes and fostering a strong sense of community.
• Walkability and Transit: New Urbanist developments prioritize pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, reducing reliance on automobiles. Sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transit options are central to these designs. By providing multiple transportation choices, residents can reduce their carbon footprint and improve their overall health.
• Human Scale: New Urbanism promotes a human-scale environment, focusing on architecture, streets, and public spaces that are designed to be welcoming and comfortable for people. This approach stands in contrast to the imposing, car-oriented designs of many modern cities.
• Traditional Architecture: New Urbanist communities often feature traditional architectural styles to create a sense of place and evoke a connection to the past. This approach helps foster a distinct local identity and fosters a feeling of continuity with the historical development of the area.
• Sustainable Design: Sustainability is a core principle of the New Urbanism. Communities are designed to minimize environmental impact by reducing energy consumption, promoting green spaces, and conserving resources.

Terminology
To better understand the New Urbanism, it’s essential to be familiar with some key terms:
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): TOD is a concept closely related to the New Urbanism, focusing on the creation of walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods centered around public transit hubs.
• Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND): TND emphasizes the creation of traditional, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods with a focus on compact, interconnected streets and human-scale architecture.
• Complete Streets: Complete Streets is a transportation policy that promotes the design and construction of streets that are safe and accessible for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
• Smart Growth: Smart Growth is an urban planning and development approach that advocates for sustainable, community-oriented, and economically viable development.

Organizations Promoting the New Urbanism
Several organizations have played pivotal roles in promoting the New Urbanism. Here are some of the most influential ones:
• Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU): Established in 1993, the CNU is one of the most prominent organizations dedicated to promoting the New Urbanism. They provide resources, education, and advocacy for planners, architects, and policymakers.
• Project for Public Spaces (PPS): PPS focuses on creating vibrant, community-centered public spaces, which align with the New Urbanism’s goals of walkable, people-friendly environments.
• The Seaside Institute: Seaside, Florida, is often considered one of the pioneering New Urbanist communities. The Seaside Institute promotes the principles of New Urbanism through research, education, and public outreach.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC supports community development initiatives, often embracing New Urbanist principles, to revitalize neighborhoods, create affordable housing, and promote economic development.

Criticism of the Movement
While the New Urbanism has gained popularity and is seen as a solution to many urban problems, it’s not without its critics. Some common criticisms include:
• Gentrification: New Urbanist developments can drive up property values and lead to gentrification, potentially displacing lower-income residents.
• Lack of Diversity: Critics argue that New Urbanist communities often lack socio-economic and demographic diversity, resulting in homogenous populations.
• High Costs: Building mixed-use, walkable communities can be expensive, which can lead to higher housing costs and limited affordability.
• Resistance to Change: Some communities resist New Urbanist initiatives, particularly when they involve changes to established zoning and development regulations.

Examples in the United States
• Seaside, Florida: Often cited as the birthplace of the New Urbanism, Seaside is a coastal community that embodies many of its principles. It features mixed-use development, pedestrian-friendly streets, and traditional architecture.
• Celebration, Florida: Developed by The Walt Disney Company, Celebration is a master-planned community that embraces New Urbanist concepts. It includes a downtown area, mixed housing types, and extensive green spaces.
• The Pearl District, Portland: This neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, has undergone significant redevelopment to embrace New Urbanism. It now offers mixed-use development, excellent public transportation, and walkable streets.
• Glenwood Park, Atlanta: Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Glenwood Park is a mixed-use development that combines commercial and residential spaces, featuring a range of architectural styles and sustainable design.
• Kentlands, Maryland: Kentlands is a planned community in Gaithersburg, Maryland, that incorporates traditional architecture, mixed-use zoning, and a pedestrian-friendly design.
• 4th Street Corridor, St. Petersburg: This Florida-based project transformed a car-oriented street into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly corridor, complete with bike lanes and public spaces.

Conclusion
The New Urbanism represents a significant shift in urban planning and development, aiming to create more sustainable, people-centered communities. By embracing principles like mixed-use development, walkability, and sustainable design, New Urbanist communities are working towards reducing the environmental impact of urban living and fostering a strong sense of community. While the movement faces criticism and challenges, its influence is evident in various successful projects across the United States, providing inspiration for future urban developments that prioritize people and the environment.

For Further Reading
• Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU): The official website of CNU is a valuable resource for articles, research papers, case studies, and news related to the New Urbanism movement. You can access a wealth of information and publications at https://www.cnu.org/
• Project for Public Spaces (PPS): PPS is an organization that focuses on creating vibrant public spaces, which align with New Urbanist principles. Their website offers a variety of publications, case studies, and articles on topics related to urban design, public spaces, and community development. An example of their articles exploring the New Urbanism can be found at: https://www.pps.org/article/new-report-livability-and-placemaking-for-all-communities
• The Atlantic’s CityLab: CityLab is an online publication by The Atlantic that covers a wide range of urban topics, including New Urbanism. It provides in-depth articles, news, and analysis on urban planning, transportation, and development. They currently have 125 articles on the subject, to be found at: https://www.theatlantic.com/search/?q=New+Urbanism