The application of smart growth principles in the design of the communication network of Woodsong creates a connected and combined system uniting the entire development.
A strong emphasis placed on the enhancement of the pedestrian environment in the development fosters a high level of inter-personal communication between the residents of the development
The communication network of the development combines the pedestrian and bicycle circulation system with the vehicular-use system yet calls for design guidelines, ensuring a clear separation of uses throughout the development.
The communication network does not include the integration of public transportation mainly due to the fact that the regional public transportation system is essentially non-existent.
The region does not have a significant permanent resident population that would facilitate the implementation of a viable public transportation system. Regardless of this fact, the design of the communication network for Woodsong allows for the creation of a sustainable system within the bounds of the community.
Sense of Place
The difficulty associated with determining a development’s sense of place is further compounded at Woodsong considering the development has only reached the 25-percent build-out level.
Through the analysis of the design plan in combination with data collected during site visits, a preliminary assessment of the sense of place for Woodsong can be reached.
The creation of the mixed-use core, accessible civic open spaces and the ability for residents to reach the core in five-minutes by foot should allow the community to develop a centered, configured and comprehensible development.
Woodsong has been designed in an ecologically sensitive manner that preserves existing natural areas yet provides pedestrian access from within the development. The inclusion of a diverse range of housing-types that will be available to a multiple segments of the population should contribute to the creation of a unique sense of place as well as an increase feeling of civic pride.
The increased feeling of civic pride will originate from the pedestrian-biased design principles employed in the design and implementation of the development as well as the ecologically sensitive design elements that the development features.
Flexibility of Use
The diverse range of housing-types, the creation of a mixed-use core and the pedestrian-friendly design of the communication network have helped Woodsong to be designed with a re-configurable development strategy.
Through the utilization of smart growth design principles, Woodsong should be able to respond to any developmental challenge that it will face throughout its life span. The capability of Woodsong to adapt to the needs of its residents will ultimately determine the level of flexibility that the development can expect to achieve over time.
The development has been designed to maximize density throughout the community that also contributes to the re-configurable nature of the plan. The inclusion of a significant portion of retail, office uses as well as high-density housing allows for a flexible use of the land that will help Woodsong achieve a high level of sustainability.
Conclusions
The forward-thinking design of the Village of Woodsong will allow the developers to create what should prove to be a truly sustainable community. The design of Woodsong has successfully met the criteria and qualities that will facilitate the implementation of a sustainable development.
Through the application of smart growth design principles, ecologically sensitive siting of buildings and open space and the celebration of the pedestrian environment, the Village of Woodsong should prove to be one of the most successful TNDs in the region.
The significance of the success of this development indicates that the community may become a model for New Urbanist developments and an example of the economic feasibility of designing and developing a sustainable community that places more emphasis on the pedestrian, civic pride and open space planning than on the pursuit of maximum profits at the expense of the environment and the global community.
“Community rehabilitation seems to call first for drastic steps to stimulate the community interest of every citizen by letting him participate actively.” -Walter Gropius
Posts
