The Placemaker

Developer Bill Bishop breaks the monotony of the conventional suburban development using the "woonerf" philosophy.

1 minute read

April 26, 2004, 10:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"He doesn't want to build a development. He wants to create a place that has its own identity, feels welcoming and comfortable to neighbors and visitors, and fosters a sense of community.

Every element of Highland Park, from the master plan to the brick pavers, ties directly to this concept of what urban planners call 'place-making.'

If place-making is the goal, then woonerf is the way Bishop attends to achieve it.

Woonerf, Bishop said, is a Dutch word that roughly translates into 'streets for living.' Woonerf dictates that roads are designed so that cars are forced to move slowly through a neighborhood, creating a safer and more comfortable environment for cyclists and pedestrians.

Urban planning experts say innovation can pay off."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Sunday, April 25, 2004 in The Tampa Tribune

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