• New urban opportunity: Alleys, mews, and accessory units

    The unsung alley has the potential to create an intimate American urbanism, it just needs a little attention from urban designers.
    Alleys were a neglected and unused element of the American built environment for at least a half century, until they made a comeback through the New Urbanism in the 1980s. Traditional neighborhoods developments (TNDs) included alleys for trash collection, utilities, and the primary purpose—to move...Read more

  • A little vision, a small site on the water, makes a huge asset

    Even a small waterfront site can turn into a social and economic draw for a city or town.
    Ever since, perhaps, our evolutionary predecessors made their way out of the marine environment onto land, people have been attracted to the water—socially, economically, and aesthetically. Recent CNU Charter Award winners have been waterfront projects—especially the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prizes. A...Read more

  • Form-based codes boost tax revenue and construction, don’t catalyze gentrification

    New report aligns with other recent research that form-based codes have not translated to gentrification.
    Form-based codes generate economic benefits without significantly altering the racial makeup of communities—and while keeping rent increases down—according to a new report and study called Economic Benefits & Shared Prosperity with Form-Based Codes , by The Form-Based Codes Institute and Smart...Read more

  • California zoning reform: Are form-based codes the answer?

    The Golden State’s recent legislation enabling duplexes and small multifamily buildings has important urban design implications for New Urbanism and walkable communities.
    California adopted legislation last week that would allow duplexes on single-family lots, effectively ending the Golden State’s era of exclusive single-family zoning. At the same time, the state streamlined the process for cities approving small multifamily buildings in infill and transit-oriented...Read more