The 'Myth-Conceptions' About Urban Design

London, Ontario's new urban designer describes and debunks some common misconceptions about urban design.

1 minute read

February 2, 2008, 9:00 AM PST

By Michael Dudley


Here are some of the myths, according to urban designer Sean Galloway:

"10. It's all about front porches. Indeed, building more houses with front porches is important, but it's really about making friendly buildings and attractive street-scapes.

9. It wants to eliminate the back yard. Back yards are important for privacy, but urban design reminds us not to forget the front yard as a place of activity and usefulness.

8. It's all about density, density, density. It's about providing variety and diversity, allowing people to grow up in a single-family home, move to an apartment, then a townhouse, then back into a single- family home, then back into an apartment as their life progresses -- all in the same neighbourhood."

Friday, February 1, 2008 in London (Ontario) Free Press

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Mary G., Urban Planner

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