• My Christmas wish: A return to street grids

    As an urbanist, I ask Santa to bring America a renewed interest and understanding of the importance of street grids (more precisely, connected networks of streets with relatively small blocks). That may be a tall order for Santa, but I have been good and grids are good. This basic infrastructure...Read more

  • CNU 2020: Year in review

    CNU has accomplished a great deal this year, despite the pandemic—especially in the areas of transportation, code reform, and in facilitating virtual conversations on urbanism.
    After all the twists and unexpected events of 2020, it's astonishing how much we achieved. We started the year by simplifying our mission statement to clearly state that we champion walkable urbanism. To me, that mission means scaling up and amplifying the work of our members and allies. It means...Read more

  • Apply for a Charter Award, and help build a movement

    CNU is now seeking applications for the 2021 Charter Awards. Going back to 2001, the Charter Awards have highlighted best practices and spread New Urbanism ideas worldwide. More than 300 Charter Awards have been awarded by CNU juries over the last two decades. Over that time, Charter Awards have...Read more

  • The New Urbanism influence on Oregon’s pioneering zoning reforms

    The State of Oregon adopted significant zoning changes in 2019 that allow two-unit structures across most of the state, and three-unit housing on lots in larger communities. “This doesn’t ‘abolish the suburbs,’ but it does ensure that a wider variety of house types are available in a wider range of...Read more