SHAPING OUR CITY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

The quality of life in any city including Northglenn depends in large part on TRAVEL - how easy it is to get from home to work and back, the amount of time spent commuting, and the types and degree of choices available for getting around. Closely related to that are the choices we make about how land should be used. The types and appearances of buildings, how they function in a neighborhood or business district, and where they are located all have an effect on transportation use. For example, a small neighborhood that combines a shopping area with nearby residences (known as a "main street" area) encourages people to walk, whereas a strip mall tends to require auto travel. By the same token, decisions made about transportation also affect what we build and where we build it. Freeway interchanges encourage people to drive to stores and services, while light rail often encourages main street development and commercial buildings along its route.

The Northglenn City Planning Commission looks at the important relationships between land use and transportation and advocates that land use and transportation decisions be made in conjunction with each other. These decisions can and should be carried forward through governmental regulations, new public infrastructure, and innovative partnerships with individuals, businesses, local governments, and other organizations.

"Cities are an invention to maximize exchange (goods, cultures, friendships and knowledge) and to minimize travel."