• What is a SLUG? A term for rural sprawl

    This image was recently posted on LinkedIn along with a discussion of the term SLUG, which stands for spread-out, low-density, unguided growth. Urban designer Kevin Abbott found the term in the 2013 edition of Virginia McAlester’s A Field Guide to American Houses . Some say this is another term for...Read more

  • The human side of housing

    The housing supply-demand gap has grown so huge in desirable places that the panic to add more units is overshadowing what should be obvious about human needs goals.
    As an architect, I have spent years working on community-oriented housing projects within the private market. I’ve pursued affordability through smaller home sizes, shared amenities, and simplified construction. Over the past 5 years, however, I’ve seen the market shift. The threshold at which...Read more

  • CNU and coherence in metropolitan regions

    In her opening remarks at CNU33 in Providence on Thursday, organization President Mallory Baches defines the meaning and importance of principled regional planning.
    Good morning, New Urbanists, and welcome to the 33rd Congress for the New Urbanism! I am Mallory Baches, and it is my honor to be the President of CNU and welcome each of you to Providence! Alongside my co-pilot, CNU’s Executive Director Margaret Gattis, I am proud to lead this organization that...Read more

  • New Urbanism and Its Influences in Providence and New England

    A map reveals the growing New Urbanist influence throughout New England.
    CNU created its annual map of New Urbanism and Its Influences in the host region of CNU 33 New England in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 11-14. With the help of local urbanists, we identified more than 60 projects throughout the region with New Urbanism influence, including town centers,...Read more