With so many houses oriented to the privacy of backyards, one street in St. Louis has redefined neighborly by orienting their sitting and relaxation areas to the front yard.
Kim Palmer writes: "Want to make your neighborhood friendlier? Consider adding a front-yard patio ... some pavers, a few plants, a couple of comfy chairs — and, voilà! — instant summer socializing."
According to Palmer, front-yard patios have become "contagious" in recent years in the St. Louis neighborhood of Minikahda Vista. And according to one source quoted in the article, from a landscaping business based in Minneapolis, the trend toward front yard patios is evident in other neighborhoods as well.
FULL STORY: Front-yard patios spark socializing on one St. Louis Park block
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10 Ways to Boost Neighborhood Pride
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For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits
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San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
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HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
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Surf’s Upcycling: Hawai‘i’s Latest Green Building Material is Recycled Surf Boards
“Surf Blocks” are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and close the loop on mountains of waste from the state’s beloved sport.
Building Age-Friendly Homes
Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.
Nightlife and the 15-Minute City
Plans for compact, walkable cities often don’t address nighttime concerns like transportation and lighting, which can make neighborhoods more vibrant and safe around the clock.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
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