Since the Charter Book, New Urbanism Has Changed

On the 16th anniversary of the signing of the 27 principles of the Charter of the New Urbanism, many will be pleased to know that a revised edition of the book based on those principles is being developed.

1 minute read

May 7, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By newurban


The Charter of the New Urbanism book was published in 1998, two years after the signing of the Charter principles. Despite the high value of this material, an update is long overdue. Consider all the terms and concepts that are nowhere to be found in the book:

• Climate change and global warming

• Location efficiency

• Pedestrian sheds

• Charrette (mentioned only once, and in passing)

• The Transect

• The SmartCode

Form-based codes

• Retrofitting Sprawl

Tactical Urbanism

• LEED-ND

"The main challenge for the Charter of the New Urbanism, Second Edition, will be to incorporate new ideas, reflecting the complexity and depth of new urbanist thinking, without giving off mixed messages. How can the book present the creative tensions and healthy debates revolving around the bedrock principles of the Charter without getting too far off topic, and without watering down the message," asks Emily Talen.

Thanks to Robert Steuteville

Saturday, May 5, 2012 in Better! Cities & Towns

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post