Demographia


Neo-Traditional Community Review
Prairie Crossing
Walkable Community, Missing Sidewalks
Chicago

  • Size: 667 acres, including green belts and parks.

  • Planned development: 317 units

  • Neo-Traditional Rating: 1.00 (substantially fails to achieve neo-traditional ideals) on a scale of 1 to 5.
EVALUATION OF PLAN BASED UPON NEO-TRADITIONAL OBJECTIVES
Criteria Objective Case Rating
Walkable Community Stores within walking distance (1/4 mile) of all residences. No commercial area within walking distance. Sidewalks not provided in some areas. 1
Transit Oriented Development Automobile competitive transit service providing service to entire urban area No transit service 1
Housing Prices Mix of housing prices, including low cost housing. House prices are well above median price for the area. 1
Density 7 housing units per acre minimum (12,000 per square mile) Estimated 0.5 units per acre (800 per square mile, 7 percent of the 12,000 objective). 1
Impact on Suburbanization Infill -- does not contribute to suburbanization Greenfield --- contributes to suburbanization 1
Balance of jobs and residences Community provides a balance of jobs and residences, reducing the necessity to commute by automobile No commercial jobs. 1
Market oriented development No subsidies or tax breaks Unknown ---
Composite Rating 1.00
Rating System:

5: Substantially Exceeds Objective

4: Exceeds Objective

3: Meets Objective

2: Fails to Meet Objective

1: Substantially Fails to Meet Objective

Nothing in this review is meant to suggest that any neo-traditional development is not a desirable community. Most are well designed and attractive. To the extent that any such development fails to achieve neo-traditional (new urbanist) objectives is more than likely a reflection that the objectives themselves are impractical and largely unachievable in an environment that depends upon consumer choice in a free market.


Map


Central green


Street scene with no sidewalks


Street scene


Street scene

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