Highlighted hereunder are the Congress for New Urbanism's principles regarding the neighborhood. These principles guide the public policy, planning, design, and development practices.
First, the neighborhood together with the corridor and the district, are identified as the important elements of development. They are also important in redevelopment as they encourage the citizens to be responsible for their evolution and maintenance. Secondly, the neighborhoods need to be pedestrian friendly, mixed-use, and compact. Thirdly, most activities of the daily life need to occur within a walking distance to allow independence to the non-driving ones, especially the young and the elderly. The street networks need to be designed in manner that they encourage walking. This helps in conserving energy as the length and number of automobile use is reduced. Besides, the land uses and suitable building densities need to be within walking or short distance of transport stops. This permits the public transportation to be a viable option to automobile. Fourth, the neighborhoods should have wide range of housing types with various price levels to encourage diversity by bringing people of diverse incomes, races, and ages into daily interaction. Fifth, the concentrations of institutional, commercial, and civic activity need to be entrenched in the neighborhoods, and should not be isolated in single-use, remote complexes. The sizing and location of schools should encourage children to bicycle or walk to them. Through graphic urban design codes, the harmonious evolution and economic health of neighborhoods can get improved. The graphic urban design codes give predictable guidelines for change. Finally, neighborhoods should have well distribution of parks including tot lots, village gardens, community gardens, and ball fields. The open lands and conservation areas should connect and define various neighborhoods.
Reference
“Charter of the New Urbanism.” Congress for the New Urbanism (1993)
