Image: LancerE / Flickr
If you are looking at any new homes lately, you have probably heard of “New Urbanism.” It sounds trendy and innovative, but is it just marketing-speak? What does “New Urbanism” actually mean?
The site www.newurbanism.org says that New Urbanism “Gives people many choices for living an urban lifestyle in sustainable, convenient and enjoyable places, while providing the solutions to peak oil, global warming, and climate change.” Sounds good, but what does that actually mean when you are buying a house?
In practical terms, New Urbanism aims to shift the focus of communities away from car-centred developments that cause urban sprawl and to focus more on walkable, human-sized neighbourhoods. In essence, this is bringing communities back to where they were at the beginning of the 20th century, when all services, stores and parks had to be within walking distance. The difference is that these are not communities for Luddites: New Urbanism embraces technology, electrified transportation and green building practices.
In the Greater Toronto area and beyond, there are several projects that aim to achieve this goal (and are succeeding to a greater or lesser degree). Markham is one of the earliest proponents of New Urbanism in a formerly suburban context, and is already well on its way with its plans for “Markham Centre” – a new downtown based upon the structure of the old village of Unionville. The most recent status report of the project can be found here. There are several developments in the project that are currently being built, including Verdale, Nexus and Rouge Bijou by Remington Group.
Another project that is getting good reviews is The Village by Brookfield in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Unlike the Markham project, which is centred around tall condo towers, the Village aims to create the tightly nestled, small-town feel of a European village. Building materials are very traditional. The streets are narrow and curvy, to slow down traffic, and to create visual interest.
Due to its location, The Village is more oriented toward retirement-aged buyers. The walkable streets are appealing to older people, and the houses small size fit their lifestyle better.
Although New Urbanism varies between a downtown-like area or a village, the emphasis is the same: human-sized, dense and green-oriented. And these projects are only becoming more popular: even Mississauga has started to draft its own plans for a revitalized, more urban downtown. And with anti-sprawl legislation spreading through the country, New Urbanism will likely only become more popular.
Nelson Goulart
Broker of Record with Signature Service GMAC Real Estate
www.ssgmac.ca
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