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Rules of Northglenn urban design need rethinking

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Contributed by: DR. SEAN REIF D.C. on 6/25/2008

With gasoline at $4 gallon, the Northglenn people are, increasingly aware of the need to walk or bike more and drive less for their health and for the health of the planet. Interest is in transportation alternatives to automobiles. The trouble is it is nearly impossible to navigate the modern city without a car. It is time we rethink how we design cities and how we will modify the plan to make it easier to choose alternatives to driving. Before the automobile age, cities were limited in how far out they could grow by the distance people could walk or trolley lines extended. Cities were more densely packed with multistory offices and apartment buildings. Narrow shops lined sidewalks crowded with pedestrians who bought only what they could carry or could be delivered later.

Life was more communal, and the streets were lively. If people COULD walk to the corner store, or wander in and out of shops along Main Street, they might be encouraged to do so. But few urban residents have that option. Consider, a typical big box store in its own sea of asphalt parking. No safe, clearly marked walkways link them. Shoppers are forced to drive from one to another.

Zoning rules segregate commercial from residential preclude a neighborhood grocery store, forcing people to DRIVE for that loaf of bread. The vast majority of driving trips are not commuting to work but for personal trips for church, recreation, shopping, errands, or going out to eat. Some cities are rethinking these rules of urban design in an effort too resurrect the elements of early city planning that made cities more people friendly. Similar projects are efforts to turn back the city planning clock to rediscover what worked in the past and what still works in most every small town.

Developers are also using the green technologies movement to design low impact communities that use natural drainage and landscaping to minimize the need for storm sewers. Architects see more interest in green building materials that require less energy and trap run-off water to irrigate the landscape. Older neighborhoods are threaded with a growing network of trails for cycling and walking and more communities are aware of the need to integrate bicycling lanes into existing streets.

Modest changes in Northglenn Planning can make a big difference, such as connecting destinations with sidewalks or free shuttles. None of this will happen unless the citizens embrace a new direction in how Northglenn is planned.

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Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

posted on 6/25/2008 @ 7:52:45 PM

Rated Story

“Planning is inevitable because most of our values depend on deliberative and overarching VISIONS if they are to be achieved. Our task is to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.”

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DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

THORNTON , CO

DR. SEAN REIF D.C. has posted 1061 stories and 1229 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. DR. SEAN REIF D.C. 's average story rating is 3.04.

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