Archives
Welcome to the archives of Better Cities & Towns, a publication founded by Robert Steuteville as New Urban News in 1996. This archive holds two decades of the best news and analysis on compact, mixed-use growth and development, from 1996 to 2015.
Two years after breaking ground, Iowa City, Iowa’s Peninsula Neighborhood celebrated its Grand Opening on May 17. Iowa City’s only traditional neighborhood development, and one of the few in the Midwest, the 70-acre project is situated on a bluff...
New Urbanism is one of the most influential planning trends of the last few decades, according to April’s 25th anniversary edition of Builder magazine, published by the National Association of Home Builders. The point was underscored by the editors...
By Daniel SolomonSolomon argues for a “density of detail” to bring liveliness to buildings — even modern buildings using inexpensive materials.
In what has been called the first reimagining of Long Island’s landscape since Levittown, a developer is proposing to build a small city on 492 acres. Jerry Wolkoff wants to redevelop the land, formerly part of the Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center,...
The Eleventh Congress for the New Urbanism to be packed with innovative debates, new publications, and spirited conversations.
For the first time, CNU is holding a formal parliamentary member debate on the principles of the Charter of the New...
New Urban Builders reports that the first 20 acres of the planned 48-acre Doe Mill Neighborhood, in Chico, CA, are now completed or under construction, with nearly one-third of the houses presently occupied.
Homes range in size from 1,000, to 1,800...
A sprawling and obsolescent 1980s-era business park in Pleasanton, CA, is being scrutinized for possible redevelopment as a transit oriented residential neighborhood centered on a BART station. The city brought in consultants, including Daniel...
More density, taller buildings and mixed uses. That’s city planning director Robert J. Scott’s prescription for the future growth and development of Virginia Beach. With the northern half of the community almost fully developed and a no-growth...
After a $250,000 public process aimed at adopting Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company’s SmartCode, the City of Vicksburg got cold feet. Mayor Laurence Leyens and other officials in the Mississippi city decided not to go forward with the SmartCode. As...
The second semiannual Urbanism Down Under gathering was held in Auckland, New Zealand, recently, attracting 400 participants, according to urban designer Chip Kaufman. The first event was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 2001. “There was a mix of...
Congress for the New Urbanism celebrates exemplary urbanism.
Whether it’s a new block of Berlin, Germany, a regional plan for the San Francisco Bay Area, or a freeway demolition in Milwaukee, this year’s Charter Award winners have something in...
Mid-May saw the opening of a two-level, 80,000 sq.ft. urban-format Home Depot store in Chicago, among speculation that the Atlanta-based retailer is poised to introduce similar outlets in other cities, including two locations in Manhattan: 23rd...