WEEK 3

https://www.cnu.org/resources/what-new-urbanism

Chapter 11 Metropolitan Planning and Urban Issues

Post 1: What Did You Learn? (initial post - due by Friday)

Drawing on BOTH the article and information in chapter 11, what are some advantages of new urbanism compared urbanism?  What are the criticisms of these communities.

AND Posts 2 & 3: Sharing Your Thoughts RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING:

#1 :When it comes to new Urban Neighborhoods there are a few key things that will make these neighborhoods stand out from others. "New Urbanism is a planning and development approach based on the principles of how cities and towns had been built for the last several centuries: walkable blocks and streets, housing and shopping in close proximity, and accessible public spaces. In other words: New Urbanism focuses on human-scaled urban design." (What Is New Urbanism? | CNU, n.d.). In these new Neighborhoods there are a couple things that make them urbanized. First these neighborhoods aren't that big. It will take about five minutes to walk from one side to the other. But that doesn't mean there is less involved in these villages. They will still have little store fronts and shops that people can easily walk to. Another thing that they do when making these neighborhoods is that they make them for people. meaning they want people to walk around, ride a bike, or take a jog. Though you can still drive around they make these communities easy for people. And as always, where is there is good there is also bad. Though these communities can be great they can also have there difficulties. For example an area like this takes a lot of people to get everything together. "Great design is not useful if it can't be built. New Urbanists work with and include production builders, small developers, traffic engineers, appraisers and financial institutions, public officials, citizens and others with influence over the built environment to come up with implementable solutions. " (What Is New Urbanism? | CNU, n.d.). With all these people it can be great to have all these new ideas but it can also make it very difficult to not only work together but get everything set up so the community gets built easily. Another possible problem is How its built. these urban areas can either flourish and be a perfect spot for people to come and have a great time shopping and getting some food. Or they can be a horrible and very difficult place to get through, trying to get from one store to another could be hard depending on the locations. With that being said how things in this Urban community are built can be a big deal when trying to set up a profitable and great area for people to come. If the set up makes someone walk in circles or cut through bushes to get to the next store it may not be the best set up for this type of area. Finally though these areas can be beautiful a majority of the time there are still some instances where they can be more difficult then others. however they do make a lot of communities connected and happy. 

#2 New Urbanism represents a departure from traditional urban planning approaches, advocating for walkable neighborhoods, mixed land use, and community-oriented design (Bsummers, 2023). Chapter 11 of "The New Urban Sociology" by Gottdiener, Hohle, and King provides insights into the advantages and criticisms of New Urbanism compared to conventional urban development. New Urbanist communities prioritize pedestrian-friendly environments with interconnected streets and sidewalks, encouraging physical activity and reducing reliance on automobiles (Gottdiener et al., 2019). New Urbanism promotes the integration of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within close proximity, fostering vibrant and diverse communities where residents can live, work, and play (Bsummers, 2023). By emphasizing public spaces, parks, and communal gathering areas, New Urbanism aims to create neighborhoods that facilitate social interaction and a sense of belonging among residents (Gottdiener et al., 2019).
New Urbanist principles often incorporate sustainable design practices, such as energy-efficient buildings, green infrastructure, and preservation of natural landscapes, leading to reduced environmental impact (Bsummers, 2023).

However, New Urbanism also faces criticism. Critics argue that New Urbanist developments can contribute to gentrification and displacement, as they often attract higher-income residents and may lead to rising property values and rents, pricing out existing low-income communities (Gottdiener et al., 2019). Some New Urbanist communities implement strict zoning regulations and design guidelines, which can result in exclusionary practices that limit housing affordability and diversity (Bsummers, 2023). Despite efforts to create mixed-income neighborhoods, New Urbanist developments may still exhibit socio-economic homogeneity, as they tend to attract residents with similar demographic profiles and purchasing power (Gottdiener et al., 2019).
Critics argue that New Urbanism's emphasis on traditional design elements and nostalgia for historic neighborhoods may overlook the cultural diversity and evolving needs of contemporary urban populations (Bsummers, 2023).

In summary, New Urbanism offers several advantages in promoting sustainable, community-oriented urban development, but it also faces criticism for its potential to exacerbate social inequalities and exclusionary practices.