Putting People Back In The 'Hood

An important aspect of creating healthy, sustainable communities and regions where people want to live is to develop human scale communities.
Human scale communities are places that are designed to create tight-knit neighborhoods where people feel comfortable interacting with others and are not dependent on automobiles as their only means of getting around. Creating town centers and neighborhoods where walking and bike riding are convenient and safe makes sound economic sense. They are now essential for the growth of small towns and cities.
Unlike many suburban areas where large subdivisions are developed as isolated units and not integrated into the community fabric, human scale communities consist of compact mixed-use neighborhoods. The compact nature of human scale neighborhoods makes them walkable and accessible.
Every human scale community is different, but most have the same general characteristics.
• They define the public realm as a place for social interaction. Lots tend to be small (less than ¼ acre), with shallow front yards and semi-public areas (such as front porches) to encourage interaction.
• Neighborhoods contain a mix of uses, with recreation, schools, and shopping within a walkable distance.
• Multiple modes of transportation are encouraged: pedestrians, bicycles, automobiles, and transit.
• Streets are designed not only to serve motorized transportation but also to provide a sense of community and encourage social interaction.
• Buildings are designed to be visually interactive with the street, be compatible with adjacent structures, and frame the street. Residential buildings contribute to an interactive neighborhood environment. Commercial buildings are designed with storefronts oriented towards and close to the sidewalk to engage the interest of pedestrians.