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Organizing Meeting, Northeast Region
Florida Chapter of
The Congress for the New Urbanism
Click for full size image
Our Gang
Haile Village Homes
Haile Village Meeting Hall
and Green
Third Place Restaurant
Haile Village Street
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The Northeast Region—Jacksonville, Gainesville and Ocala—began its first meeting January 21 in Gainesville with a tour of Haile Village Center, led by developer Robert Kramer. Haile Village Center is a compact, mixed-use traditional neighborhood within the 1700-acre development of regional impact known as Haile Plantation. While much of the planning of Haile Plantation was done in the 1970’s with a typical PUD street pattern, Haille Village Center was developed later following new urbanist principles.
The 16 people attending the meeting at Haile Village Center’s Meeting Hall included private practitioners, government officials, and both students and educators from the University of Florida. Participants raised the following issues during discussion:
1. Within the university, many architecture professors are hostile to the concepts of new urbanism. In general, landscape architects and planners are more receptive than architects. Student interest can be fostered through special lecture series and student organizations.
2. More “how to” information needs to be made available, particularly in the form of visual presentations such as video or PowerPoint presentations. Case studies are a valuable tool. A speaker’s bureau is also useful. Presentations should be succinct because public officials and others don’t have much time to listen.
3. To have the greatest effect, CNU needs to reach out to planners. Some programs are being developed to educate planners.
4. Builders also should be targeted. Master developers can work with builders to achieve new urbanism “without them noticing.”
5. Florida has a new building code and also has unique ADA requirements. Both need to be examined to see how they are affecting what is being built and to recommend new urbanist solutions.
6. Older communities need help to retain their traditional character.
7. There needs to be better understanding of exactly what new urbanism is. New urban issues need to be separated from style issues.
The meeting adjourned to lunch at the aptly named Haile Village Center restaurant, The Third Place.
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