Posted by Kevin Matthews on February 21, 2005 at 19:39:11:
Some Notes on Defining Urban Villages / Nodal Development - FoE, KMM et al.
(considering TransPlan, LUCU, and long range goals)See also visioning article by Chuck Rusch, in:
http://www.friendsofeugene.org/newsletter/FoE_News_20040907-01.pdf** * * * **
Goals and Objectives served by Nodal Development (not in order)
- decrease VMT
- increase use of walking, bicycles, and transit
- overall public economy
- overall private economy
- improve environmental quality
- meet TransPlan approval criteria
- reduce sprawl
- preserve open space
- increase the success and vitality of neighborhood small business
- improve public safety and reduce crime
- structure positive opportunities for profitable real estate development (and redevelopment) beneficial to community
- improve the average proximity to greenspace for dwellings
- increase opportunities for positive human contact within denser neighborhoods
- increase the attractiveness of living, working, and doing business in pockets of increased density
- exclude bogus and marginal nodes from receiving benefits (subsidies and/or incentives) under nodal development policies
** * * * **Points of Definition (draft)
- Nodes are comfortable, mixed use, pedestrian and transit-oriented local areas that include places to live, places to work, and places to shop and get other services.
- A node occupies a limited area, with a maximum radius of 1/4 mile, or about 3 downtown-size blocks.
- A node has about 2000 residents (maybe between 1500 and 4000?) with a residential area density of about 12 units per acre.
- A node has a recognizable neighborhood identity.
- A node has a recognizable center.
- A node has a core area, within 1/8 mile (660 feet, or 1.5 downtown blocks) of the node center.
- In the node core area, the average residential density is increased about 2x.
- The node core area has wide sidewalks and full-size street trees.
- Near the node center there is an accessible small public open space (plaza).
- Within the node there is some accessible public greenspace.
- Nodes are safe places where walking is encouraged, conflicts between pedestrians and motor vehicles are minimized, and bicycle routes are fully-connected and well marked.
- A transit stop is provided near the node center.
- Significant employment places must be located within the node core, and thereby near to transit.
- Total parking is limited to 9% of the gross area of the node, with significant parking areas away from pedestrians and the public streetscape.
- Buildings in a node reinforce the sidewalk, please the eye, and use high-quality, long-lasting materials.
- As the density or occupancy of a node increase, the number and variety of public facilities offering amenity to residents also increases.
** * * * **Some Design Patterns related to Nodal Development and Urban Villages
Referring to:
A Pattern Language : Towns, Buildings, Construction.
by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein. Oxford University Press (1977). ISBN 0195019199.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195019199/artificeinc
In order from larger to smaller scale3. City County Fingers, p21.
8. Mosaic of Subcultures, p.42.
9. Scattered Work, p51.
11. Local Transport Areas, p63.
13. Subculture Boundary, p75.
14. Identifiable Neighborhood, p81.
15. Neighborhood Boundary, p87.
19. Web of Shopping, p104.
21. Four-story Limit, p114.
29. Density Rings, p156.
30. Activity Nodes, p163.
31. Promenade, p169.
34. Interchange, p183.
36. Degrees of Publicness, p193.
37. House Cluster, p197.
38. Row Houses, p204.
40. Old People Everywhere, p215.
45. Necklace of Community Projects, p242.
48. Housing In Between, p257.
49. Looped Local Roads, p260.
50. T Junctions, p264.
54. Road Crossing, p280.
56. Bike Paths and Racks, p289.
59. Quiet Backs, p301.
60. Accessible Green, p304.
61. Small Public Squares, p10.
67. Common Land, p336.
68. Connected Play, p341.
72. Local Sports, p363.
87. Individually Owned Shops, p432.
88. Street Cafe, p436.
89. Corner Grocery, p440.
92. Bus Stop, p451.
103. Small Parking Lots, p503.
106. Positive Outdoor Space, p517.
107. Wings of Light, p525.
108. Connected Buildings, p531.
Personally, I think a good definition of nodal development, and good actions, policies, and rules to encourage development fulfilling that definition, must embody most of these timeless aspects of positive urban environment.cheers,
K