Back to Basics: Walkable Suburbanism

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• How and why communities are moving beyond the traditional model of the “bedroom suburb” in favor of more walkable, connected, and mixed-use communities
• Successful strategies for walkable, connected, and mixed-use suburbanism
• Tools that can empower citizens, investors, and leaders to design, plan, and create walkable suburban places

MORE SESSION DETAILS

Shifting demographics, cultural changes, evolving shopping trends, and a growing preference toward walkability are driving suburban towns and cities to redefine and remake themselves. While there is no “one-size-fits-all” strategy, communities nationwide are returning to the basics of urbanism. Some are converting aging strip malls and areas of excessive parking into walkable nodes; others are building new amenity-rich activity centers; still others are reinvesting in existing downtowns (and some are even doing all three). This session will feature a panel of experts working on a portfolio of bold new suburban projects. Featured case studies will include Legacy Town Center in Plano, Texas; multiple approaches underway in Alpharetta, Georgia; and specific design techniques that are completely transforming conventional understandings of suburbs across the board. Following a series of rapid-fire and highly visual presentations, attendees are invited to participate in a moderated discussion with the panelists and strategize around the bold approaches that are transforming suburbs into walkable mixed-use places.