Introduction

Today's urban resident is seeking a more flexible, sustainable environment—representing a unique, diverse, vibrant, and responsible way of living—as an alternative to the typical development patterns of suburban and semi-urban sprawl. Can urban design help create this type of sustainable urbanism? Grid Street Place presents a unique approach to understanding urban design through scientific, empirical research.

Research and Findings

The authors examined more than 100 successful projects throughout North America to identify differences and commonalities, and they discovered universal elements that characterize sustainable urban districts. By applying these essential elements, designers and developers can recreate and extend the experience of successful places to their communities.

Details and Examples

Myriad plans, sections, diagrams, and charts illustrate how each district work—at an extremely detailed level. Concrete examples, as opposed to generalities, make Grid Street Place a must-read for anyone interested in the working strategies of urban design.