BUILDING PLANS and URBAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

"The physical form of our built environment is a complex arrangement of streets, buildings, and public and private spaces. The nature of this arrangement fundamentally shapes our neighborhoods, towns, cities, villages and the countryside. In turn, the organization of these man-made features has a profound influence on the way we live, how we act and who we are."

Michael J. Busha, AICP

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Design Principles for Neighborhoods and Towns Key West home

Buildings are aligned and close to the street.
Buildings form and protect open space.
Buildings have front porches and balconies.
Buildings are designed to enhanvce the human scale for the close siting of towns and cities.
Property lines are physically defined by fences, hedges, or garden walls.
Vehicle storage, garbage and mechanical equipment is away from the street.
Architecture responds to regional climate.

The Neighborhood Center - TNC

Stockbridge, Mass. TNC should be distinguishable from the Neighborhood Edge, the interior streets and traditional neighborhoods.

Large Canopy trees are necessary.
Buildings must face the green (center) on all sides.
Shopfronts and retail offices should always be allowed in neighborhood centers, but are not required.
Neighborhood center streets should always be more active than side, or edge streets.
Public Buildings and monuments are positive additions to a town or civic core.

Savannah home

"The memorable quality of Savannah, Paris, and Old Philadelphia can be attributed as much to the organized pattern of trees as to the architecture and urban design."

Henry F. Arnold, Trees in Urban Design, 1992

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