When looking at a map of Cincinnati, the first thing one notices is the amount of distinguishable neighborhoods. The division of Cincinnati into manageable, dense neighborhoods is one of its greatest attributes. These types of communities are the core of an idea called New Urbanism.
New Urbanism uses the disciplines of community planning, architecture, and sustainable design to reduce the negative environmental and social effects of urban sprawl. Central to New Urbanism is the idea of returning the city to the pedestrian. Since the rise of the automobile, people have become less friendly toward the environment and less friendly toward each other. New Urbanism aims to end this trend through the use of community connectivity. This typically means that amenities and transportation needs should always be within a 5-10 minute walk of one's residence. But it also means connecting communities socially through the use of shared spaces like plazas, squares, and even sidewalks. To achieve the goal of new Urbanism, communities must, first and foremost, be mixed use and high density.
This is where Cincinnati has such an advantage. Like many cities, Cincinnati has been plagued by separate use zoning codes that have caused sprawl and slumming within the urban core. But most Cincinnati communities are still high in density and contain central commercial areas that are walkable and pedestrian friendly.
Clifton, where I grew up, is a prime example of a neighborhood that follows the principles of New Urbanism. Ludlow Avenue is home to a library, grocery store, pharmacy, movie theater, restaurants, shops, and most recently a hardware store. A few blocks away from this street are hospitals, schools, and parks. All of these amenities are within a ten minute walk of most homes and connected with a grid system that is pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Many of Cincinnati's neighborhoods (ie Northside, College Hill, Mt. Lookout, Mt. Washington, and O'bryanville, Mt. Adams) mimic this same community design. If we take advantage of the neighborhoods and infrastructure that we already have, Cincinnati could be a hub for New Urbanism in the future.
Map provided by the City of Cincinnati and OpenStreetMap.org
Andy, great points. You might also note that the LEED rating system takes these same notions into account. When building in dense, urban nieghborhoods, it is easy to acheive many of the Sustainable Sites credits. These types of neighborhoods are more charming and conducive to community buiding, but they are also more sustainable.
ReplyDelete