New Urbanism has promised better neighborhoods, reduced pollution, less traffic, and less sprawl. source Is this working? So far, there have been a very slow movement to adopt new urbanism principles. A lot has to happen to make it work in one place. There have been a few developments in Florida that adhere to the ideas of a livable and walkable neighborhood, and at least one seems to be functioning as envisioned.
Abacoa in Jupiter Florida was built without a major employment source (as is typical of Florida), but a functioning Main Street area and a desirable location has kept it growing. The construction of the Scripps Florida campus on site has ensured a major employer is within walking distance of much of the downtown area. This may be enough to ensure the concept of a central community will be achieved in Abacoa.
Other developments, such as Tradition in St. Lucie County, Florida, have been marketed more as retirement communities and marketed more to snowbirds that year round residents. It also suffers from the inclusion of large Big Box strip malls adjacent to the town center. These type of developments discourage pedestrian movements. The addition of Torrey Pines to the development may change the resident mix of that community, and give it the financial boost it needs at present.
New Urbanism can be adopted in existing urban areas with some success. West Palm Beach is attempting to incorporate many of these ideas with some success. City Place, Clematis Street, a reconstructed Dixie Highway, and the new City Government complex successfully use New Urbanism ideas. The location of the conference center south of Okeechobee with little linkage to the center is less than ideal, however.
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