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.
Susan Mudd, Executive Director of Citizens for a Better Environment, a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will serve as the new Chair of the Environmental Task Force. She will be working with both current and new task...
King Farm, a 440-acre, 3,200-unit traditional neighborhood development (TND) project in Rockville, Maryland, will open its model homes in May, 1998, and the first buyers will be moving in this summer. Like Celebration, Abacoa, and a few other large...
Bois-Franc, near Montreal, is marketed as a “new city.” That’s reveals not just its urban location and high density — but also the relatively positive Canadian attitude toward cities, compared to the U.S., where the word “city” is likely to provoke...
Politicians and policy makers are rediscovering how government affects growth patterns and the form of development. ruce Katz, chief of staff for Henry Cisneros when he was Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, now directs the $3.5 million...
Harbor Town in Memphis, Tennessee, one of the first and best known traditional neighborhood developments (TNDs), recently opened its first commercial town center building. After only a few weeks of operation, the building has added a new dimension...
Planners for the City of Gainesville, Florida, are preparing a traditional neighborhood development (TND) ordinance to be considered for adoption in 1998. The city has reviewed six TND codes approved by other local governments: Dade County, Florida...
Middletown, Delaware, recently revised its zoning and subdivision ordinances based on their concept of “mobility first.” Complimentary changes were developed for the Delaware Department of Transportation street design standards. The year- long...
Remember to sign-up early to attend CNU VI! For the first time, those that register at least one month in advance of the Congress will receive a price discount. CU@CNU VI!
Board Members meet with new urbanist developers to identify concerns and set an agenda for action. CNU’s Board of Directors took a major step forward at our last meeting to initiate a working relationship with the development community.
Every year, concepts related to New Urbanism receive greater attention at the International Builders’ Show, sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “A few years ago, the discussion [at our convention] was whether to build...
Canada has at least 24 traditional neighborhood developments (TNDs) underway, 15 of them under construction. Based on New Urban News’ research, Canada appears to be moving ahead with New Urbanism more quickly than any part of the U.S., with the...
Massachusetts An executive order, “Planning for Growth,” signed in April 1996 directs state agencies to promote the reuse of existing infrastructure and downtown revitalization in permitting, funding and construction decisions. The program also...