New Urbanism: A Better Suburbia?

Is New Urbanism--a reaction to featureless sprawl--the "cure for suburbia's ills?"

1 minute read

November 28, 2000, 9:00 AM PST

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


Chicago Sun-Times architecture critic Lee Bay writes about New Urbanism and the community of Prairie Crossing."Built about 10 years ago, Prairie Crossing is a national model of a better suburbia. The development offers mostly open space--more than 60 percent of the 700-acre site is left undeveloped. Homes have a hand-tooled quality...Planners,architects and activists are looking to make suburban areas function and feel like small towns instead of tract developments. The movement was born in reaction to sprawling, featureless suburbs. Could it be the cure for suburbia's ills? The movement is praised as often as it is pilloried. But the new approach is getting the attention of the country and its home buyers."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Sunday, November 26, 2000 in Chicago Sun-Times

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

7 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

4 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

6 hours ago - Next City