Congress for the New Urbanism Austin 2008

CNU XVI: New Urbanism and the Booming Metropolis
April 3-6, 2008 in Austin, Texas

New Urbanism takes hold in one of the nation's fastest growing cities. See how the principles of New Urbanism are finding their way into projects, public conversations and city policy.

The annual Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is the leading venue for new urbanist networking, collaboration, and education. CNU members come from far and wide to discuss development practices and public policies, learn from recent innovative work, and advance new initiatives to transform our communities.

Registration opens January 2008.

For more information visit:
http://cnu.org/cnuxvi

The Congress for the New Urbanism is the leading organization applying the principles of city and town design to today's development challenges. Working with architects, planners, transportation engineers, CNU advances walkable, compact neighborhood development as an alternative to sprawl.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• New
• Urbanism
• Austin
• Congress
• 2008

[Nightmonkey17]

Visit old Mueller airport if you want to see a New Urbanist neighborhood in development.

[prothobs]

Also, someone mentioned how cities with booming and beautiful downtowns are no better than your run of the mill American city. I disagree. While it is true that very few cities- North American, Asian, European or South American - are without slums or poor neighborhoods, by and large the developed European countries are much more accessible and livable than their American counterparts.

[prothobs]

I think you guys may be putting a little bit too much pressure on the concept of 'New Urbanism'. To me, it's a fairly logical concept: don't have so many damn cars and suburbs. They are ugly, frustrating and wasteful. To my understanding, New Urbanism seeks to restore the aesthetic and environmental aspects of a city. To make them inviting and community based. It does not, however, seek to rid a city or region of poor people or slums. How can it? That is a social and economic problem.

[TheYaom]

@FreyaEinde new urbanism displaces poorer individuals to the outskirts of the city, while middle class and wealthy ones take over the city.

it's sort like what happens in europe and south america

in paris the city with its glorious buildings and nightlife focuses mostly to tourism and wealthier parisians.... while the poor ones live out in the decayed poor suburbs.

in south america too.... lots of poor folks in the outskirts of the city while wealthier folks live in the inner cities.

[FreyaEinde]

I'll agree the current system sucks. But so far the model for New Urbanism seems to lead itself to a sort gentrification and displacement of poorer individuals, as well as to the poor who originally inhabited that area. Most of these communities are havens of the upper-middle class...kinda like the new suburbs in that way. Until a less gentrified model can be presented this is just another problem waiting to happen.

[dominoslater]

This is typical - in fear of trying something different. You know your system sucks, so you might as well change it!

[Fimollie]

Mayor Wynn has been successfully exploiting Austin during his mayoral term. Natives now face challenges finding affordable housing as new urbanism sweeps through modest Austin gobbling up history and culture. Our beautiful skyline is morphing, Barton Springs is threatened, pollution and congestion are heavy as more and more predatory people are enticed to move here. Big Business (and city officials) love the attention Austin is receiving. Most locals are disheartened by Austin's transition.

[adderbrain5]

austin isnt exactly a model CNU city but mayb this new mayor knows what hes doing and possibly hell be able to do somethign

[hoopjnky]

No one in Austin is building afforable housing anywhere near the urban core of Austin. Even former crack houses on the east side cost more than a nice place in Pflugerville. This will be a challenge for the new urbanists - and I hope they have a solution.

Nice film, though, Russ. :)

[odennehy]

re: "how are we (Austin) going to continuing doubling our population w/o [ruining what makes Austin Austin].

You aren't. Inability -- or unwillingness -- to control our growth is killing our fine city.