Old Urbanism Thriving In 'Everybody's Hometown'

This small town has the qualities that New Urbanism advocates aim to recreate.

1 minute read

May 20, 2004, 10:00 AM PDT

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


The 20th century had several agonizing lessons in store for small-town Pennsylvania: that downtowns thriving for 100 years can be deserted in 10. That cherished neighborhoods can quite quickly dissolve...

Media, Pa., the governmental seat of Delaware County, apparently missed the memo on this. With a thriving restaurant scene, a racially diverse population, trolley cars on State Street, and a softball-coaching mayor, Media today is vibrant and homey to such an extent that cynical visitors may leave disbelieving.

The balance achieved here, between town and metropolis, old and new, is of considerable interest today when the intimacy of small-town life is back in vogue, yet hard to come by. Countless boroughs are struggling to revitalize, while architects and planners of New Urbanism attempt to recreate the sort of walkable neighborly community that survived the 20th century in Media."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

An old brick apartment building in NYC.

Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify

A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.

October 3, 2026 - The City Reporter

An old brick apartment building in NYC.

Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify

A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.

October 3 - The City Reporter

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2 - ABC 7

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2 - Baltimore Sun

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design