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.
Wal-Mart, the king of discount superstores on suburban commercial strips, has apparently discovered a new market — city dwellers. Wal-Mart recently opened a store in a mixed-use, urban location in Long Beach, California, without the usual sea of...
Ken Snyder, a former official with the Department of Energy, has formed PlaceMatters.com. The nonprofit organization is set up to help communities create more livable neighborhoods through what Snyder calls “vision-centered, place-based planning.”
For years, CNU members have sought ways to customize the organization so that it can serve specific geographical areas. Up to now, CNU has not had a method for supporting chapters. Consequently, members’ mutual education and networking remained...
A Village Square composed of eight buildings is the centerpiece of Devaun Park, a 483-unit TND being constructed on 149 acres on the outskirts of Calabash, North Carolina. The Square, situated within a five-minute walk of most residents’ homes, will...
The National Town Builders Association (NTBA) has formed a new executive board consisting of Theresa Burt of the Midland Companies, Jeffrey Cagan of the Cagan Management Group, Steve Maun of Leyland Development, Robert Turner of the Habersham Land...
River Ranch in Lafayette, Louisiana, is becoming an influential model of new urban community-building. More than 100 developers have visited the project, under development by Robert Daigle and designed by architect Steve Oubre, according to the...
A sampling of recently published articles reveals the geographic breadth and growing popularity of transit-oriented development (TOD). “Transit villages” are planned for Caltrain stations in San Carlos, Redwood City, San Bruno, Daly City, and South...
Transit-oriented development (TOD) captured attention in the US Environmental Protection Agency ‘s first annual National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement, which were presented November 18. Two of the four recipients — Arlington County, Virginia,...
David Fleeman, a partner in development of Haile Plantation in Gainesville, Florida, died November 8 in Miami. He was 88. Fleeman was already semi-retired from a successful career as a homebuilder in South Florida and was serving as chairman of the...
This survey identifies site-specific projects — either in planning, in construction, or completed — that are at least 15 acres and are based on principles of New Urbanism. The projects are mixed-use, laid out with an interconnected network of...
Forest City looks to develop 12,400-acre community in Albuquerque.
Anew urban project so immense that it may take 70 years to complete is envisioned for the southeastern section of Albuquerque.
Denver’s City Council has adopted “Blueprint Denver,” a plan that aims to integrate the city’s land uses and transportation for the first time. “Blueprint Denver suggests that transportation and land-use improvements be joined at the hip, and that...