Latino New Urbanism Takes Off

Advocates of Latino New Urbanism suggest that places where Latinos are fast becoming the majority could help "rein in sprawl by capitalizaing on Latino cultural preferences for compact neighborhoods, large public places and a sense of community. Builders and planners have largely ignered the cultural identity of this new wave of homebyers says planner Michael Mendez, who coined the term 'Latino New Urbanism'. As a result, many Hispanics moving up the economic ladder choose typical suburbs far from work, mass transit and shopping because it's usually the only path to home ownership, Mendez says. 'They have to assimilate into what's available.' "