Many cities in the U.S. have experienced large growth. With a growth rate of 21.6%, there will be 26.9 million new households between now and 2020. The current building boom in the U.S. is projected to continue through 2030.
The unlimited outward expansion of cities into undeveloped areas on the urban periphery, in the transitional suburban zone between inner city and country, has characterized growth. In many U.S. urban regions, the pattern of growth has occurred in shape of low-dense leapfrog development. This form of suburbanization is commonly referred to as the phenomenon of “Urban Sprawl”. In Sprawl, the typical suburban development is characterized by strictly separated land uses, neighborhoods consisting of single-family homes, uniform and large-scale building components, and automobile dependence.
The plentiful problems that result from the sprawling growth have become more evident in the past decades as they have largely affected the development of economy, ecology, and society. Coping with the inevitable growth is a major challenge for the population, governments, and urban planners. As a reaction to the critical pattern of Urban Sprawl, several new planning approaches have been developed to accommodate growth and prevent Sprawl.
This Bachelor Thesis focuses on the concept of “traditional neighborhood development” (TND), an urban model, developed by architects of the anti-sprawl movement “New Urbanism”. Regarding the issues of the uncontrolled growth pattern of Urban Sprawl, the paper intends to find out, if the implementation of the TND concept can reduce or solve the problems of sprawling growth while conducting a good standard of living.
Therefore, the goal of this paper is to answer:
“Is TND a viable urban model to accommodate growth and prevent Urban Sprawl?”
In order to answer this question, the implementation of the TND concept in the case study of Westhaven, located in the growing city of Franklin in Tennessee, is examined. With this example as the centerpiece of the Thesis, the issues of sprawling growth and the planning approach of TND to accommodate this growth are elucidated and critically discussed.
In the following chapter, the origins and problems of Urban Sprawl are subject to this paper as well as some of the approaches towards the prevention of the sprawling growth pattern.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. SPRAWLING URBAN GROWTH: IMPACTS AND APPROACHES
2.1 Causes and Problems of Urban Sprawl
2.2 Anti-Sprawl Approaches: Smart Growth, New Urbanism, and TND
3. PORTRAYAL OF WESTHAVEN’S HOMETOWN FRANKLIN
3.1 Location
3.2 Population
3.3 Economics
3.4 Provision of Infrastructure
3.5 Land Use Development
3.6 Urban Growth Management
4. EMBODIMENT OF TND IN WESTHAVEN
4.1 Design of Westhaven
4.1.1 Genesis of the Project
4.1.2 Setting in Franklin
4.1.3 Structure of the Neighborhood
4.1.4 Architecture of Buildings and Landscape
4.1.5 Existing and Planned Service Amenities
4.2 Successes and Benefits
4.2.1 Pedestrian-friendly Environment
4.2.2 Strong “Sense of Community”
4.2.3 High Standard of Living
4.2.4 Increased Awareness of Region
4.3 Failures and Deficiencies
4.3.1 Insufficient Connection to Region
4.3.2 Inadequate Internal Business Establishments
4.3.3 Inefficient Land Use
4.3.4 Unaffordable for Lower-Income Households
4.4 Conclusions of the TND Concept: What Westhaven Teaches Us
5. PLANNING APPROACHES FOR TND TO MANAGE GROWTH
5.1 Integration in Regional Network
5.2 Sufficient Supply with Businesses
5.3 Efficient Land Use
5.4 Offer of Lower-Priced Homes
6. FINAL VIEW ON THE REVISED TND CONCEPT
Research Objectives and Topics
This thesis investigates whether the concept of "Traditional Neighborhood Development" (TND) serves as a viable urban planning model to accommodate population growth while simultaneously preventing the negative effects associated with urban sprawl.
- Analysis of the origins, problems, and impacts of urban sprawl.
- Evaluation of the TND concept as an anti-sprawl planning strategy.
- Case study of the Westhaven development in Franklin, Tennessee.
- Assessment of successes and deficiencies in implementing TND principles.
- Development of refined planning approaches for TND to effectively manage regional growth.
Excerpt from the Book
4.3.1 Insufficient Connection to Region
Westhaven is not integrated properly into the regional network. By being located on the sparsely populated periphery (on Franklin’s western side), it is far apart from the major areas of interest.
Even though Westhaven is located near Franklin downtown, it is insufficient. Since Franklin mainly is an historical district (see ch.3.2), it contains only few amounts of commercial, offices, or other related development. The amount and variety of downtown’s infrastructure does not supply the demands of Westhaven’s residents in reference to appropriate workplaces, service and shopping facilities. Therefore, residents depend on other locations, such as Cool Springs and Nashville.
The poor accessibility of these locations is intensified through the inadequate connection to the transportation network. All residents rely on New Highway 96 West, which is the only roadway that connects to Franklin Road and Interstate 65, leading to the desired locations. In order to get there, residents have to drive through Franklin downtown. This area is often congested because of the intersection of six major roadways. Traffic flow is also obstructed due to the historical design in downtown, consisting of small-scale streets and plentiful four-way intersections.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the challenges of urban sprawl and introduces the research question regarding the viability of TND as a solution.
2. SPRAWLING URBAN GROWTH: IMPACTS AND APPROACHES: Explores the historical causes of sprawl and introduces anti-sprawl movements like New Urbanism and TND.
3. PORTRAYAL OF WESTHAVEN’S HOMETOWN FRANKLIN: Provides a comprehensive background of Franklin, focusing on its demographic, economic, and infrastructure development.
4. EMBODIMENT OF TND IN WESTHAVEN: Examines the planning, design, and practical execution of Westhaven, evaluating its successes and failures against TND standards.
5. PLANNING APPROACHES FOR TND TO MANAGE GROWTH: Suggests strategic modifications to the TND concept to improve infrastructure integration, business supply, and affordability.
6. FINAL VIEW ON THE REVISED TND CONCEPT: Concludes that while TND alone is not a complete solution, it offers potential if modified by more integrated regional planning measures.
Keywords
Urban Sprawl, Traditional Neighborhood Development, TND, New Urbanism, Franklin, Westhaven, Land Use, Smart Growth, Housing, Regional Planning, Infrastructure, Social Segregation, Sustainability, Urban Design, Transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis evaluates whether "Traditional Neighborhood Development" (TND) is an effective urban model to address the negative impacts of urban sprawl, such as social segregation and high infrastructure costs.
Which city serves as the main case study?
The study centers on the Westhaven neighborhood, located in the rapidly growing city of Franklin, Tennessee.
What is the primary research question?
The work seeks to answer: "Is TND a viable urban model to accommodate growth and prevent Urban Sprawl?"
What methodology does the author apply?
The author combines literature reviews of urban planning theories with an empirical evaluation of the Westhaven development, including interviews with residents and project stakeholders.
What are the central themes discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the history of sprawl, the design principles of TND, the practical implementation in Westhaven, and an analysis of successes and failures regarding infrastructure, business, and social affordability.
Which concepts characterize the work?
Key terms include urban sprawl, New Urbanism, TND, land use, infrastructure management, and community identity.
How does Westhaven connect to the regional network?
The thesis finds that Westhaven has insufficient connectivity, relying on a single major artery, New Highway 96 West, which results in significant traffic congestion for residents.
Does the author conclude that TND is a successful anti-sprawl model?
The author concludes that in its current form, TND is not a complete solution and can sometimes act as a "prettier form of sprawl," though it holds potential if modified with better regional integration strategies.
- Quote paper
- Mareike Schuppe (Author), 2006, Accommodating growth: The concept of traditional neighborhood development in Westhaven, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/111868
