There are a few considerations when planning or developing a town. New towns depend on characteristics of the surrounding region (financial or population growth). Existing towns should utilise (infill) existing land where possible, focusing on places partially developed.
Towns need to provide a sense of connectivity. Public transport must be frequent and predictable, follow a route that is direct and logical and have stops that are safe, dry and dignified. When planning the connectivity of the streets within a neighbourhood the speed of cars can be controlled by limiting the widths of the streets. On less travelled streets (or yield streets) one shared lane is provided with parking on the side which decreases traffic speeds and also the number of accidents.
Buildings need to include pedestrian friendly architecture and define the pedestrian space. Attached row houses should be closer than detached houses only allowing room for articulated elements (such as, porches, balconies, etc.). In this case any habitable room at ground level should be protected by a porch or dense garden.
Retail buildings should not have a setback as this brings the merchandise to the passing pedestrians.
Taller buildings should be encouraged whether commercial or residential to create a more efficient use of the land. Most houses should be minimum two storey and shops and offices should be higher than the traditional one storey to encourage mixed use.
The scale of most developments now days usually depend on the amount of parking that can be provided, however, parking requirements are necessary as there may be no alternative present.
Mixed uses, varied housing/building types and reliable public transport are all part of what makes an efficient and ideal town, nevertheless, fixing existing cities could prove a long journey as the planning principles differ from when these cities where first developed.
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