Hellgate Meadows: Old Values in a Renewed Setting
A Traditional Neighborhood
New Urbanism is the most important planning movement this century. It is the revival of our lost art of place-making, and is essentially a re-ordering of the built environment into the form of complete towns. New Urbanism promotes the creation and restoration of compact, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, towns, and cities containing the same components as conventional development, but assembled differently in the form of complete communities. These contain housing, work places, shops, entertainment, schools, parks, and civic facilities essential to the daily lives of the residents, all within easy walking distance. New Urbanism promotes the increased use of trains and light rail, instead of more highways and roads. Currently, there are over 400 New Urbanist projects planned or under construction in the United States alone.
The principles of New Urbanism can be applied to projects at the full range of scales from a single building to an entire master-planned development.
- Walkability: Most things within a 10-minute walk of home and work -- Pedestrian friendly street design (buildings close to street; porches, windows & doors; tree-lined streets; on street parking; hidden parking lots; garages in rear lane; narrow, slow speed streets)
- Connectivity: Interconnected street grid network disperses traffic & eases walking
- Mixed-Use: A mix of shops, offices, apartments, and homes on site. Mixed-use within neighborhood, within block, and within buildings
- Mixed Housing: A range of types, sizes and prices in close proximity
- Increased Density: More buildings, residences, shops, and services closer together for ease of walking, and to enable a more efficient use of services and resources
- Quality Architecture & Urban Design: Emphasis on aesthetics and human comfort; human scale architecture
- Traditional Neighborhood Structure: Discernable center and edge -- Contains range of uses and densities within 10-minute walk
- Sustainability: Minimal environmental impact of development and its operations; less use of finite fuels; more local production; more walking
Old Values In A Renewed Setting
- The Neighborhood has a discernible center. This is often a square or green.
- Most of the dwellings are within a five minute walk of the center.
- A variety of dwelling types within the neighborhood offer most people a place to live.
- Shops and offices at the edge of the Neighborhood supply the weekly needs of a household.
- A small ancillary building is permitted within the backyard of most houses. It may be used as one rental unit, or as a place to work.
- An elementary school is close enough for most children to walk or bicycle from their home.
- Small playgrounds are located near every dwelling.
- Streets within the Neighborhood are a connected network. This disperses traffic congestion.
- Relatively narrow and shaded streets are pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
- Parking is relegated to the rear of the buildings, usually accessed by alleys.
- Prominent sites are reserved for civic buildings for meeting, education, religion, or culture.
- The Neighborhood is organized to be self-governing.
Benefits Of Hellgate Meadows Residents
- A place to live, work, & play.
- Mixed use enhances property values.
- Multiple builders offer unique architecture and a variety of home choices.
- Less traffic congestion & less driving.
- Healthier lifestyle with more walking.
- Close proximity to retail & services.
- Close proximity to bike trails, parks, and nature.
- A walkable community with more opportunity to meet your neighbors.
- Unique shops and services with local owners who are involved in community.
- Dedicated open space to enjoy forever.
- Efficient use of tax money with less spent on spread out utilities and roads.