Development of thesis topic….needing input on “New Urbanism”

I think one of the most interesting phenomena surrounding (literally) new urbanist communities is their unintended consequences–the interaction/effect on the areas just beyond their borders.

I participated in charettes for a fairly large NU (now well under construction) development nearby. Many years later it appears to be a success and very popular, but because the planning and zoning was not carefully considered in the areas surrounding it, a sea of post–WWII commercial/residential/office developement many times it’s size has risen.

This has had the affect of discouraging a vibrant commercial/service component within the community, causing it to function largely as a very interesting subdivision. People live and walk within, but drive, shop, work elsewhere. I don’t see this as the fault of the concept or the people who have developed it–it was just an unintended consequence beyond their control.

Good luck with the thesis.

I did some research on the subject a while ago, here is one of my sources
http://www.seasidefl.com/newsStory.asp?releaseId=1047
I modeled my argument around Seaside Florida

Always had trouble in central VA with the city/town governments being fascinated by NU “town center” look for development, the public process in general (most public meetings are dominated by people with strong opinions and loud voices, quite often negative), the environmental needs -therefore approvals- (often neglected in NU).

Topics to look at might be intent vs outcome, especially in its relationship to more contemporary discourse in LArch and urbanism (ecology and aesthetics). Also, one area I’ve personally found interesting is the notion of authenticity in the discourse on placeness in relation to NU developments.

Related to this, the idea of pattern books for developments is pretty enlightening as guidance on development.

That’s a problem in my experience as well. When the charette is set up in a way that puts the opinion of the layperson on par with the professional, you end up with a lot of venting, a lot of public soap-box grandstanding, and a lot of time wasted to local attention-seekers who love to hear the sound of their own voice. The NIMBYS tend to be the loudest.

When you go to a doctor, you expect a professional opinion, and most people will defer to them and follow their advice. Design professionalls have allowed their opinions to be eroded with these attempts at design by committee.