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Application of the AIA's 10
Principles for Livable Communities improves livability and makes
conventional strip development pedestrian friendly.
Courtesy Benjamin Lee, FAIA.
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Visit the Center for Communities by Design for
more information on how architecture can influence the quality
of life in our nation's communities.
1. Design on a Human Scale
Compact, pedestrian-friendly communities allow residents to walk to
shops, services, cultural resources, and jobs and can reduce
traffic congestion and benefit people's health.
2. Provide Choices
People want variety in housing, shopping, recreation,
transportation, and employment. Variety creates lively
neighborhoods and accommodates residents in different stages of
their lives.
3. Encourage Mixed-Use
Development
Integrating different land uses and varied building types creates
vibrant, pedestrian-friendly and diverse communities.
4. Preserve Urban Centers
Restoring, revitalizing, and infilling urban centers takes
advantage of existing streets, services and buildings and avoids
the need for new infrastructure. This helps to curb sprawl and
promote stability for city neighborhoods.
5. Vary Transportation Options
Giving people the option of walking, biking and using public
transit, in addition to driving, reduces traffic congestion,
protects the environment and encourages physical activity.
6. Build Vibrant Public Spaces
Citizens need welcoming, well-defined public places to stimulate
face-to-face interaction, collectively celebrate and mourn,
encourage civic participation, admire public art, and gather for
public events.
7. Create a Neighborhood
Identity
A "sense of place" gives neighborhoods a unique character, enhances
the walking environment, and creates pride in the community.
8. Protect Environmental
Resources
A well-designed balance of nature and development preserves natural
systems, protects waterways from pollution, reduces air pollution,
and protects property values.
9. Conserve Landscapes
Open space, farms, and wildlife habitat are essential for
environmental, recreational, and cultural reasons.
10. Design Matters
Design excellence is the foundation of successful and healthy
communities.
The graphics above illustrate the AIA's 10 Principles and are
available to download and support events and general
dissemination.
Please follow the links below to download them.
Small: Suitable for handouts and flyers
Large: Suitable for large posters and
panels
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Take a
neighborhood walk and look at some windows.
