|
Well-defined
center and edge
– The best towns and cities have a strong sense of
place. You know when you have arrived and you know when
you leave. The town center is typically anchored by some
important community civic building, such as a Town Hall,
Library or Community Church. The civic building is
situated on a public green or plaza that serves as a
recognized gathering place for residents.
A hierarchy of interconnected streets
– Great towns have a diversity of street types,
serving all of the different purposes the community
requires, and providing strong interconnection between a
diversity of land uses.
Beautiful streets designed for both cars
and pedestrians –
Streets are designed and viewed as part of the public
realm, to be used equally by both cars and people. Equal
attention is given to the functionality of the street to
pedestrians as children, and its attractiveness as an
address, as is given to its use by automobiles.
A diversity of housing types and affordabilities –
All members of the community must be able to find a
suitable place to live within the community. Communities
need a great variety of people to function well,
physicians and bankers, carpenters and ship keepers,
teachers and babysitters
Places for work and shopping in proximity
to housing –
Quality of life is improved when people are able to live
in close proximity to workplaces and frequently used
shopping destinations.
Appropriately located sites for civic
buildings
– Well designed communities have specially created and
prominent locations for placement of their important
civic buildings, such as churches, libraries, schools,
and community meeting halls.
Provision of a variety of parks and open
spaces
– Communities address a variety of open space needs,
including recreation fields, quiet places for
meditation, and small open spaces where young children
can safely play within shouting distance of their homes. |
