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When the land determines a neighborhood plan, the neighborhood not only becomes more beautiful, it works better. Maintaining and enhancing natural drainage patterns, for example, can give a neighborhood some interesting trail-side scenery as well as giving it a drainage system that has been designed and optimized by nature.
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Quieter streets
It might seem that the wider a street is, the safer it is. That’s why the streets of most communities built during the ‘80s and ‘90s are so wide. But it has been proven that narrower streets encourage slower, more careful driving. (This is yet another reason why older neighborhoods feel quieter, even though most of them were designed without cul-de-sacs.)
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Yard size
The most desirable older neighborhoods, like Denver’s Washington Park, share an enlightened notion of land planning. Instead of giving everybody a huge lawn to mow and water, and few if any parks to enjoy — they make the yards smaller and the parks bigger or more numerous. Yes, this brings the homes closer together. But this is why living in an older neighborhood usually means living close to a park. And it’s why the street scenes of older neighborhoods are so vibrant.
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This is the technical land planning term for neighborhoods that include not just homes, but shops, businesses, restaurants and entertainment as well. Mixed-use neighborhoods make life richer and easier by putting many of life’s necessities within walking distance.
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Walkability
As our society became more car-oriented, several things happened. We began working and shopping farther from home. Traffic and stress increased. Physical fitness and social interaction decreased. And garages began to dominate the architecture of our homes. McStain is working to reverse, or at least moderate, this trend with neighborhoods where you can walk to a restaurant, a grocery store and maybe even to work. Where public transit is readily available. And where parks, trails and beautiful views invite you get out and leave the car in the garage … which is likely positioned at the rear of the home.
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Water use
McStain communities are designed with an abundance of open space--usually 30% to 40% of the overall land plan, compared to 20% or 25% in the standard municipal plan. McStain community open space usually consists of native, drought-resistant grasses and plants that provide a colorful, diverse landscape while requiring very little water to thrive.
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Places such as neighborhoods and business districts are defined by boundaries or edges. A high brick wall surrounding a group of exclusive homes is an example of an obvious and, some might say, un-neighborly boundary. We prefer softer, more inviting edges. Open fencing, such as picket or wrought-iron, as well as hedges and other natural borders create a sense of distinction rather than division.
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The most desirable older neighborhoods, like Denver’s Washington Park, share an enlightened notion of land planning. Instead of giving everybody a huge lawn to mow and few if any parks to enjoy, they make the yards smaller and the parks bigger or more numerous. Yes, this brings the homes closer together. But this is why living in an older neighborhood usually means living close to a park. And it’s why the street scenes of older neighborhoods are so vibrant.
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Before people had video games and 250 channels of television, they used to entertain themselves by getting out and making each other’s acquaintances. They even created special places just for the purpose of coming together. These places were called commons. Today we call them parks. But no matter what you call them, they’re still highly entertaining.
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