Selected Articles on Close-Knit Communities Close-Knit Community (CKC) Planning is a more adaptable alternative to oft-criticized nostalgic New Urbanist Design. CKC originator John L. Gann explains why CKC can be more effective in curbing sprawl. For copies of any articles ($4 each for S/H), please call or fax toll-free (800) 762-4266. | |
| John L. Gann, Jr., "Close-Knit Communities: New Urbanism Made Marketable," Nation's Building News Online, (nahb.com), Feb. 23, 2004.
Heavily hyped New Urbanism has suffered from limited demand, high-cost, and zoning obstacles. Close-Knit Community Planning offers sprawl fighting with greater adaptability, a broader market, and less severe regulation. John L. Gann, Jr., "Close-Knit Community Planning: Reconciling the New Urbanism With the Old," Planning & Zoning News, July, 2002. Both sprawl and New Urbanism pose problems. A third way, Close-Knit Community Planning, emphasizes closeness, not architectural nostalgia--scale instead of style. CKCs, "suburbia on a diet," have achieved broad market acceptance. Gann suggests standards for CKCs and compares their features with New Urbanism. John L. Gann, Jr., "Creating Modified TND in a Heartland Community," Land Development, Winter, 2000. A case study suggests the unworkability of rigid architect-prescribed New Urbanist standards and the value of flexibility in deterring sprawl. |
John L. Gann, Jr., "Walkable Neighborhoods: A Key to Longer Life?" Planning & Zoning News, June, 2003, p. 14.
Seniors living in neighborhoods with close-to-home places to walk lived longer, says recent research. Walkability even trumped factors more strongly associated with health and well-being. John L. Gann, Jr., "Reassessing the New Urbanism," Planning & Zoning News, June, 2002. A plan prepared for one city suggests five planning and legal pitfalls of New Urbanist dictates. New Urbanism needs refinement to be a workable model. John L. Gann, Jr., Beyond New Urbanism," Isthmus, (Madison, WI), January 3, 2003, p. 8. New Urbanism has had little impact on sprawl. Compact places that allow architectural diversity and avoid pseudo-historical treatments can work better. ----------------------More on Close-Knit Communities, click here. ----------------------- |