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Architect Looks Beyond New Urbanism's 'Fake Facade'

Posted by: Abhijeet Chavan

26 May 2006 - 2:00pm

"Cruz’s inspiration...came from a critical approach to the trends in new urbanism, which he says 'only address aesthetics, creating a fake facade of difference without considering the lifestyle of the community.' He says the downtown redevelopment of San Diego is an example of this kind of 'suburban planning,' meaning that he feels it is dressed up in high-end urban aesthetics without addressing zoning policy for higher density or affordable housing options."

Full Story: Cruz Finding New Solutions for Border Living
Source: Architectural Record, May 25, 2006
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Submitted by UrbaniDesDev on Sat, 05/27/2006 - 02:58.

I dont see it as a fake facade but just economics. The wealthy are choosing to live in center city and developers are more than happy to accommodate. The new towers will HAVE to accommodate the existance of the car and will HAVE to offer parking garages. This is a fact of our times. To not acknowledge this fact would be a "Fake Facade".

There won't be politicians lining up to develop affordable housing in an area that is attracting such high end developments. This is not a new phenomenon. It is probably more traditional than any urban planning tradition. There are still affordable housing developments happening and the whims of the affluent will be emptying a less desirable area and becoming more affordable, such as the older suburbs of the 40s and 50s. Unfortunately, in places like San Diego where property values are high all around, and the population swells, "affordable" will be difficult to find and will only be able to establish near areas around undesirable locations such as near rails, freeways and industrial zones.

I can't remember when there was ever affordable housing going in near where there is high end housing going up. It's just a new face on an age old problem. Diversity is spread farther and farther away, particularly in the newer cities where there is such a high demand for luxury. The older cities had a denser mix of economic levels. I believe due to the fact that people moved to these cities because of jobs and not because of the sun and the beach. The price of paradise?

More Misconceptions About New Urbanism

Submitted by Charles Siegel on Fri, 05/26/2006 - 15:46.

I suppose that, as a movement becomes more popular, it is bound to attract more comments, and some of these comments are bound to be misconceptions.

Nothing could be further from the truth than the statement that new urbanists “only address aesthetics, creating a fake facade of difference...."

The main point of new urbanism is to create walkable neighborhoods by designing connected street systems, mixed uses within walking distance of each other, and higher densities than conventional suburbs. It is beyond me how anyone could say that this is a matter of esthetics.

Charles Siegel

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