55,000-acre new urban development planned near Albuquerque

The first 1,500 acres of a 55,000-acre new urban development was planned near Albuquerque, New Mexico, in April. The developer, SunCal Companies of Irvine, California, is attempting its first traditional neighborhood development, one of the largest ever planned. The master planner is Moule & Polyzoides of Pasadena, California. Several other experienced new urbanists, including urban designer Bill Dennis, traffic engineer Rick Chellman, and town center specialist Bob Gibbs were also part of the charrette team. The 1,500-acre plan includes a large town center and four to five neighborhoods, Dennis told New Urban News. About 60 percent of the land is being preserved in open space. This summer a broad vision will be sketched for the remaining 53,000 acres that sit on top of a mesa off of Interstate 40.