In the suburbs of Washington D.C., the development known as The Kentlands recently celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its founding. The community is one of the earliest examples of New Urbanist architecture. In fact, it is often touted as the oldest such development. Along with towns such as Seaside, Florida and Stapleton in Denver, Colorado, these communities aim to combine residential and commercial spaces in a walkable neighborhood. Years before the United States Green Building Council and its Neighborhood Development standards were drafted, the husband and wife architectural team of Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk began designing planned communities that try to connect the places people worked and lived into a seamless experience. (For a history of The Kentlands visit Traditional Neighborhood Design.)
One of the goals of sustainable development is to create a sense of place. By endowing inhabitants with a deep understanding and appreciation for a locale, they gain a vested interest in the success of the community. Despite its 20 year history, whether or not The Kentlands (and other New Urbanist developments) will develop this sense of community over time remains to be seen. However, The Kentlands, Seaside, and Stapleton all have the foundation necessary to achieve this important component. As NPR reported a few years ago, New Urbanist architecture relies heavily on front porches, which help bring people together in a community by having them congregate in front of their homes. However, one missing piece to the puzzle is the natural development of community that comes as a neighborhood grows and matures. Much of The Kentlands is planned to the exclusion of organic growth. With tight controls on building, the attempt at diversity comes across as forced uniformity.
The Kentlands has reached an important milestone. Unfortunately, it is still beholden to the culture of the automobile. Having visited the area and seen first hand the influx of “outsiders,” it is apparent that a number of visitors drive into the area for an evening, only to leave at the end of the night. This transient experience does not bode well for developing a community. While The Kentlands is designed to be a walkable collection of homes, businesses, and retail, the American lifestyle, which is so dependent on vehicular transportation, has not fully embraced the pedestrian approach.
[image source: ChoiceRealEstate.net]
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