For Americans weary of auto-oriented, impersonal subdivisions and too-long commutes, good news is on the horizon. A new concept in town planning, spearheaded by a small but powerful cadre of architects, designers and developers, is offering an alternative to today's American dream: neighborhoods that feel like friendly, small-town streets of the early 20th century but are designed for life in the 21st century. A key intent of the plan is to encourage a sense of community.

Dubbed "neotraditionalism," this new urbanism approach features classically-styled houses of various shapes, sizes and values, clustered along friendly, tree-lined streets and attractive public parks or playgrounds.

Neighborhoods are laid-out in grids rather than cul-de-sacs, and cars are tucked behind houses, not garaged or parked in front. Homes have front porches and, thanks to generous shared spaces, smaller lots than normal. Sidewalks encourage walking to and from local businesses and, with the help of public transportation, reduce reliance upon cars.

Though neotraditional neighborhoods are few and far between, present day prototypes include Seaside, in Florida; Kentlands, outside Washington, D.C.; Harbor Town, near Memphis; Laguna West, near Sacramento; and, the most complete and notable of the group, Disney's Celebration, in Florida.
--DV

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