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Larry's Environmental Issues Blog

By Larry West, About.com Guide to Environmental Issues since 2005

New Urbanism: Designing Eco-Friendly and People-Friendly Communities

Wednesday April 30, 2008
Have you ever wondered what makes those “new urbanism” housing developments more environmentally friendly than traditional suburban neighborhoods? New urbanisim incorporates green building design and renewable energy to create livable communities that encourage people to walk, shop locally and get to know their neighbors.

New urbanism replaces cul-de-sacs with spacious front porches, SUVs with evening strolls, and long commutes with a five-minute walk to most services. Instead of herding people into the "little boxes" of suburbia, new urbanism gets people out of their houses and brings them together.

Learn more about new urbanism, how the concept got started, and what you can do to make your own neighborhood more livable.
Photo by amandab3/Flickr

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