R.F.A. embraces the principles of New Urbanism, which emphasize creating walkable neighborhoods that foster a strong sense of community. This approach prioritizes pedestrian-friendly environments, mixed-use developments, and ensuring that buildings harmonize with their surrounding context. Additionally, New Urbanism promotes sustainable, community-oriented design, enhancing both livability and connectivity within different types of urban spaces, ultimately creating vibrant, cohesive neighborhoods.
Foundations of Good Urban Design: Built for People and Community.
1. Walkable Streets
Foundations of Good Urban Design: Built for People and Community.
1. Walkable Streets
- Sidewalks: Wide, continuous, and buffered from traffic (with street trees or parking).
- Crosswalks: Frequent and safe, with tight curb radii to slow turns.
- Lighting: Human-scaled streetlights for safety and ambiance.
- Live-Work-Play: Homes, shops, offices, schools, and parks all within walking distance.
- Active Ground Floors: Shops, cafes, or porches along sidewalks to create vibrancy and "eyes on the street."
- Buildings: Oriented to the street, with entrances facing sidewalks—not parking lots.
- Height-to-Street Ratio: Building height should be proportional to street width for an enclosed, comfortable feel.
- Gridded Streets: Short blocks and many intersections encourage walking and reduce car speeds.
- Alleys & Rear Access: Keep garages and services out of view.
- Street Trees: Provide shade, beauty, and a buffer from traffic.
- Rain Gardens/Bioswales: Manage stormwater sustainably.
- Plazas, Parks, & Squares: Central gathering spots that build community.
- Civic Buildings: Anchored in prominent locations (terminating views or central greens).
- Variety of Types: Apartments, townhomes, ADUs, and single-family homes—integrated together.
- Affordability: Inclusion of different price points supports economic diversity.
- Walk, Bike, Transit, Drive: Streets designed for all users, not just cars.
- Narrow Lanes: Calms traffic; makes streets safer for all.
- Architecture & Materials: Reflect regional character and climate.
- Neighborhood Landmarks: Foster a sense of place and orientation.
- The transect in New Urbanism is a simple way to organize land from rural to urban, showing how buildings, streets, and public spaces should change gradually—from natural landscapes to dense city centers—so each area supports a walkable, human-scaled environment appropriate to its context.
