Dane County Model TND Ordinance DRAFT January, 2003

Principles of Traditional

Neighborhood Development

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Dane County Model TND Ordinance DRAFT January, 2003

2.1. PRINCIPLES

Traditional Neighborhoods are designed as compact, walkable, diverse, safe, and attractive neighborhoods. They are defined by the following principles.

1.  Compact and walkable. Neighborhoods should be compact enough to encourage development of pedestrian connections and destinations without excluding automobiles.

2.  A hierarchy of interconnected streets. Streets and roads function as a connected network, dispersing traffic and offering a variety of pedestrian and vehicular routes to any destination while connecting and integrating the neighborhood with surrounding communities.

3.  A identifiable neighborhood/community center and edges. A center that includes public spaces—such as a square, green or important street intersection—and public buildings—such as a library, church or community center, transit stop and retail businesses—provides a civic focus and informal place of gathering; and edges that promote neighborhood identity.

4.  A variety of housing choices within the same neighborhood. The neighborhood includes a variety of dwelling types so that younger and older people, singles and families, of varying income levels may find places to live.

5.  A diverse mix of activities (residences, shops, schools, workplaces and parks, etc.) occur in proximity. Many activities of daily living should occur within walking distance, allowing independence to those who do not drive and adding to neighborhood vitality.

6.  A range of transportation options. Streets are designed to promote the safe and efficient use by walkers, bikers, drivers and transit riders.

This description could divide the principles into categories of function (compact and walkable), choice (diverse), and aesthetics and safety (attractive).

FUNCTION

FUNCTION

FUNCTION

CHOICE

CHOICE

CHOICE

7.  Pedestrian-friendly. Features such as safe, attractive and comfortable streets and public spaces promote walking as a viable option to auto trips.

8.  Open spaces, greens, parks, accessible and convenient to all. Significant cultural and environmental features are incorporated into the design of the development for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the entire community. A range of parks, from tot-lots and village greens to ballfields and community gardens, are distributed within neighborhoods.

9.  Sustainable.

2.2. NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURE

The principles described above combine to form a coherent neighborhood. Figure 2.1 below demonstrates a number of the principles in a hypothetical neighborhood diagram.

[REPLACE WITH ORTHO PHOTO OF EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD?]

Duany, Plater-Zyberk

SAFETY/

AESTHETICS

SAFETY /

AESTHETICS

Compact & Walkable

Hierarchy of interconnected streets

Center & Edge

Housing choices

§  Large and small detached single family

§  Townhouses & rowhouses along avenues

§  Apartments above storefronts

Transportation Choices

§  Bus stop/transit

§  Automobile

§  Walking

§  bicycling

Attractive, safe, comfortable streets & public spaces

§  Human scaled streets and public spaces

Open spaces accessible & convenient to all

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