What do we stand for?

[Metro Jacksonville]

What do we stand for?



Follow and endorse these principles, then watch urban Jacksonville bloom.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/381

[Amanda]

The thing I hate about new urbanism the most is that is has whole heartedly contributed to the continuation of the ex-urban subdivision.  Developers merely need to add a "town center" with space for a few retail shops and planning commissions are happy to rubber stamp the development.   New urbanism is a great idea but it can only flourish if zero-growth or halted-growth policies are enacted.  

Granted a new urbanist development is better than say the gated golf course communities that sprouted all over Florida in the 80s and early 90s.  

[mark5]

Bring JAX Beer Back!!!!

[zoo]

Love that Jax beer sign!!!

Ditto, Amanda, re: "town centers". I am so sick of these, and the unending use of the phrase by the same old suburban developers re-packaging their product. This is not true "new urbanism", but at least its better than the stucco-yucco damage they've been doing to Florida's real estate market for decades.

The real problem is with city departments that keep approving them. if it looks like a suburban tract development, is laid out like a suburban tract development (albeit with a central "town" instead of the 4-corner big box nightmare nearby), it is still a suburban tract development!

[margaret koscielny]

The disconnect between the photographs of old Jacksonville (which I remember it looking like, although I am not so "old") and the comments, here, point out how generational differences affect discussions like this one.

Our city went from a comfortable 150,000 to 350,000-750,000 to over 1,000,000 within the last 50-60 years. It spread out from the city limits which ended in the middle of the Main Street Bridge(!), to accomodate growth in population. Urbanization, with an emphasis on the centeredness of a city changed its complextion, and the center died, except for certain traditional institutions, such as city government and courts, which remained.

Transportation choices reflected lack of imagination in projecting a wholistic approach to the idea of a city: the center and the outlying areas, operating as a interactive, organic entity. Jacksonville lost out because of its shortsightedness, smallmindedness, or, lack of futuristic imagination in regard to mass transit, light rail, green islands, etc. Now, we pay the price, and the price is going up in energy costs, congestion and pollution. Older sections of town, close to town, have found their own "centers," working efficiently to serve the neighborhoods in the way the old city center once did.

The only way to get the old center revived (centered around Hemming Park) is to increase housing for all economic levels with services that are needed by this "center" neighborhood. In other words, Jacksonville City Center should be seen as another neighborhood, instead of an all-purpose center for the entire city. That model doesn't work any more for a place as large as Jacksonville.

Oh, and do I miss the old Jacksonville? Yes, in many ways.

[cinch2win]

Truth, Justice and the American Way.....

[Mild Mannered Reporter]

New Urbanism could definitely improve the quality of life on the First Coast. I would rather see more urban infill first, but real estate costs and buyer preferences make more suburban development inevitable. Communities with new urbanism features are certainly a great improvement over the typical sprawl developments.
http://jacksonvillechristiannews.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-urbanism-can-help-to-create-family.html

[stephendare]

JB Roadglide, here is one of our mission statements.

Check it out!

[stephendare]

Many activities of daily living should occur within walking distance, allowing independence to those who do not drive, especially the elderly and the young. Interconnected networks of streets should be designed to encourage walking, reduce the number and length of automobile trips, and conserve energy.

[stephendare]

The disconnect between the photographs of old Jacksonville (which I remember it looking like, although I am not so "old") and the comments, here, point out how generational differences affect discussions like this one.

Our city went from a comfortable 150,000 to 350,000-750,000 to over 1,000,000 within the last 50-60 years. It spread out from the city limits which ended in the middle of the Main Street Bridge(!), to accomodate growth in population. Urbanization, with an emphasis on the centeredness of a city changed its complextion, and the center died, except for certain traditional institutions, such as city government and courts, which remained.

Transportation choices reflected lack of imagination in projecting a wholistic approach to the idea of a city: the center and the outlying areas, operating as a interactive, organic entity. Jacksonville lost out because of its shortsightedness, smallmindedness, or, lack of futuristic imagination in regard to mass transit, light rail, green islands, etc. Now, we pay the price, and the price is going up in energy costs, congestion and pollution. Older sections of town, close to town, have found their own "centers," working efficiently to serve the neighborhoods in the way the old city center once did.

The only way to get the old center revived (centered around Hemming Park) is to increase housing for all economic levels with services that are needed by this "center" neighborhood. In other words, Jacksonville City Center should be seen as another neighborhood, instead of an all-purpose center for the entire city. That model doesn't work any more for a place as large as Jacksonville.

Oh, and do I miss the old Jacksonville? Yes, in many ways.

Margaret, boy did your analysis of lack of imagination turn out to be true.

[JaxNative68]

faux town centers built by this days developer are pure evil!

[sheclown]

4. Within neighborhoods, a broad range of housing types and price levels can bring people of diverse ages, races, and incomes into daily interaction, strengthening the personal and civic bonds essential to an authentic community.

Amen!

[billy]

What is the tilted structure on the roof of the Betty Maid building?

[stephendare]

A billboard aimed down at southbound traffic on main street

[JeffreyS]

The town I believe reflects a step in the right direction. They are stil products of sprawl but it is the recognition that the suburban cul-de-sac is not the end all.  They lack true urban connectivity and still rely on cars but they do acknowledge the problem.  Town centers do not offer the true answer but admitting you have a problem is the first step.