by Eric Hove, Senior Project Manager - South Coast Rail, Regina Villa Associates

1. Traditional Neighborhood Development
(TND)
Eric Hove
Regina Villa Associates
Senior Regional Planner
South Coast Rail
Adapted from the Massachusetts Smart
Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

2. What is Traditional Neighborhood
Development?
• Also called New Urbanism, village-style development, or
neo-traditional planning;
• Mixes residential, commercial and civic uses in a
compact area;
• Balances public and private space to enhance identity
and value;
• Builds community, promotes walkability, and increases
affordability;
• Use traditional cities, towns, villages as a model for the
future.
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

3. Why does TND make sense?
• Sprawl is costly
– More water/sewer, fire/police, schools
– Higher fuel/maintenance costs for drivers
• Sprawl is time-consuming
– Longer commutes/more traffic congestion
= less time for family, community, leisure
• Sprawl is unhealthy
– More roads increase air/water pollution
– Greater distances = less walking, cycling
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

4. TND in New England
Downtown
Concord,
Massachusetts
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

5. TND in New England
Southfield
Proposed Village
Center
(formerly the South Weymouth
Naval Air Station)
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

6. Churchill Homes—Holyoke, MA
Hope VI
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

7. South Village—South Burlington, VT
• 330 units- mix of types
• Community Farm (CSA)
• Preserved Open Space
Photos courtesy of Bob Mitchell
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

8. Why does TND make sense?
• TND is cost-effective;
– Uses existing infrastructure
– Reduces need for auto ownership
• TND is time-saving;
– Reduces vehicle trips and commute times
• TND promotes health and safety;
– Walkable communities
– Increased opportunity for energy efficiency
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

9. Overview of TND Principles
• Principle 1: Town Center and Edges
• Principle 2: Connectivity
• Principle 3: Walkability
• Principle 4: Mixed Uses
• Principle 5: Mixed Housing
• Principle 6: Compatible Architecture
• Principle 7: Community-Oriented Design
• Principle 8: Vibrant Neighborhood Districts
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

10. Principle 1: Town Center and Neighborhood
Edges
• Town center anchored by Town Edge
– village green
– residential and commercial buildings
– transit stop Civic Buildings
• Town edges…
• Civic buildings are prominent landmarks
that terminate views and inspire
Town
community purpose Center
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

11. TND Principle 2: Connectivity
Street
Grid
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

12. Principle 3: Walkability
can you find the pedestrian?
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

13. Principle 4: Mixed Uses
residences
above retail
stores
transit-friendly
shopping
district
TND Main Street
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

14. Principle 5: Mixed Housing
accessory dwelling unit
multi-family homes
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

15. Principle 6: Compatible Architecture
local forms
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

16. Principle 7: Community-Oriented Urban Design
front porches
period streetlights
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

17. TND Principle 8: Vibrant Neighborhood
Districts
16th Street in the 1920’s
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

18. What steps are necessary to make TND
happen?
I. Design Principles
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

19. What steps are necessary to make TND
happen?
I .Design Principles
II. Charrette
public participation
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

20. Visualizations
South Coast Rail— Fall River Depot Station Area
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

21. South Coast Rail
Fall River Depot Station
Photomontage
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

22. What steps are necessary to make TND
happen?
I .Design Principles
II. Charrette
III. Zoning Revisions
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development

23. TND Resources
• South Village
– www.southvillage.com
• Churchill Homes
– www.dietzarch.com/projects_churchill.html
• Congress for the New Urbanism
– www.cnu.org/
• Other TND projects
– www.tndtownpaper.com/neighborhoods.htm
• South Coast Rail
– www.mass.gov/southcoastrail
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Toolkit Traditional Neighborhood Development