Suburban — Design Elements
Example Scenario
In this Suburban scenario, a field next to an existing neighborhood is developed as a walkable, mixed-use community within an integrated green network.
New development in Suburban landscapes should complement the character of nearby residential neighborhoods and villages. This new development should include the following design elements:
Building Character
- Clustering of buildings to preserve unique historic, cultural, and environmental resources
- Residential character for commercial and institutional uses based on existing building scale, rooflines, materials, and window patterns
- Deemphasis of garage doors and visibility of off-street parking
Site Amenities
- Interconnected open space systems
- Active recreation facilities and central greens in residential developments
- Extensive landscaping in parking lots
- Green infrastructure, including innovative stormwater management
- Effective buffering of non-residential uses next to homes
Transportation
- Well designed and compatible vehicular and pedestrian access
- Fully interconnected street system that discourages dead end streets
- Extensive sidewalk and trail network
- Interconnected parking lots and common driveways
- Bus shelters with sidewalk access
- Limited parking in front of buildings
- On-street parking
- Appropriate truck access to industrial uses