top of page

What is New Urbanism?

New Urbanism embraces a planning and development strategy that draws inspiration from the traditional methods of constructing cities and towns over the past centuries. The core principles encompass the establishment of walkable blocks and streets, the incorporation of nearby residential and commercial zones, and the creation of easily accessible public spaces. Essentially, New Urbanism prioritizes the design of urban environments that cater to the human scale, creating places where communities can meet and interact in public spaces or on the street. Through reduced car use, walking and cycling to destinations can foster interaction while reducing negative environmental and traffic effects.

A Brief
History of
New Urbanism

Garde, A. (2020). New Urbanism in Europe. 5. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v5i4.3478

 10 Key
Principles of
New Urbanism

Nghiningwa, A. N. (2019). Application of “New Urbanism” Principles. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342988115_Application_of_New_Urbanism_Principles

The
Benefits of
New Urbanism

PlanningTankAuthors. (2018). What is New Urbanism? | Definition, Concept & Benefits. https://planningtank.com/urbanisation/new-urbanism-definition-concept-benefits

HafenCity by moka studio.jpg

JHamburg GmbH. (2021). A European city for the 21st century. https://www.hafencity.com/en/urban-development/urban-planning

Urban Regeneration

Formerly a disused harbor area, it has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use district that revitalizes the waterfront and enhances the city's urban fabric. 

HafenCity Hamburg, Germany

Formerly a disused harbor area, it has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use district that revitalizes the waterfront and enhances the city's urban fabric. 

Contemporary Urban Design

Ørestad embodies New Urbanism principles through its contemporary urban design. It is characterized by innovative architecture, mixed-use development, and an emphasis on creating a vibrant and sustainable urban environment.

Ørestad Copenhagen, Denmark

Jensen, M. B. (2015). The Danish action plan for promotion of eco-efficient technologies. https://eng.ecoinnovation.dk/media/mst/8051431/CASE_oerestad_artikel.pdf

GroenBlauw. (2016). Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm, Sweden. https://www.urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/hammarby-sjostad-stockholm-sweden/

Sustainable Development

The district prioritizes environmental sustainability through innovative water management systems, energy-efficient buildings, and a focus on reducing carbon emissions.

Hammarby Stockholm,Sweden

Seaside-crop.jpg

Traditional Neighborhood Design

Seaside, Florida, is renowned for exemplifying New Urbanism principles through its traditional neighborhood design. The town features a compact layout with narrow streets, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and a mix of housing types, promoting walkability and a strong sense of community.

Seaside, Florida

Walljasper, J. (2019). How a Florida beach town changed how we live. https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2019/05/14/how-florida-beach-town-changed-how-we-live

image-asset.jpeg_format=1000w.jpeg

Adaptive Reuse and Urban Revitalization

The Pearl District in Portland, Oregon, showcases New Urbanism principles through its successful adaptive reuse and urban revitalization efforts. Formerly an industrial area, the district has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood that preserves historic buildings while incorporating modern design elements.

Portland Pearl District, Oregon

bottom of page