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WCEL
> Issues > Urban Growth and
Development > Smart Bylaws Guide > Part
3 > Compact Complete Communities
Smart Bylaws Guide – Compact Complete Communities
Compact complete communities is another term for traditional
neighbourhood development, new urbanism, transit-oriented
development, smart growth, and other land development forms that
emphasize (1) the ability to walk to services and recreation, and
(2) a diversity of both housing and commercial forms. The
completeness of a community means that everyday needs, including
transit, can be fulfilled within a five- to ten-minute walking
distance of residences.
For a detailed discussion of the benefits of compact complete
communities, please see A Case for Smart
Growth.
Compact complete communities possess the following
characteristics (adapted from
Traditional Neighbourhood Development
zoning for Concord, North Carolina):
- complete and integrated communities contain housing, shops,
workplaces, schools, parks and civic facilities essential to the
daily life of the residents and connected by a system of
sidewalks
- housing, jobs, daily needs and other activities are
within easy walking distance of one another
- as many
activities as possible are located within easy walking distance
of transit stops
- a diversity of housing types to enable
citizens from a wide range of economic levels and age groups to
live within the neighbourhood
- the location and character of
the community is consistent with a larger transit network
- the
community has a center focus that combines commercial, civic,
cultural and recreational uses where civic buildings and squares
reinforce the identity of the neighbourhood
- the community
contains an ample supply of specialized open space in the form
of squares, greens and parks whose frequent use (for social
activity and recreation) is encouraged through placement and
design
- the neighbourhood is spatially understood and limited
in size
- the hierarchy and design of streets serves equitably
the needs of pedestrians, bicycles and automobiles
- architecture and landscape respond to the unique character of
the region and preserve the charm and unity of the neighbourhood
as a whole
More specifically, compact complete communities mean (from Steve
Tracy and Local Government Commission, Smart Growth Zoning Codes: A
Resource Guide pp. 9-11):
- neighbourhoods that can be walked from the
neighbourhood edge to the mixed-use centre in five to ten
minutes
- sidewalks at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) wide in
residential areas and 1.8 and 3.7 metres (6 to 12 feet) in
mixed-use and commercial areas. Parkway strips of 1.5 to 3
metres (5 to 10 foot) buffer pedestrians from traffic and allow
tree planting. Crosswalks should be provided mid-block if the
blocks are longer than 90 metres (300 feet)
- street and block
patterns that form an interconnected grid
- short block faces,
generally between 90 and 240 metres (300 and 800 feet), with an
average of 150 metres (500 feet)
- narrow streets and alleys
- street trees and landscaping strips
- creative parking
strategies and lower requirements
- surface parking lots behind
or beside buildings with structured parking facilities where
financially feasible
- visibility into commercial buildings,
and out of all buildings onto public areas
- a variety of
housing types and commercial and civic uses
- small scale
commercial uses (up to 465 square metres/5000 square feet)
integrated into mixed-use retail centre and residential areas
- prominent public features, which also serve as navigation points
A key component of smart growth and creating more compact
complete communities is taking advantage of density in appropriate
locations. Density is about creating a balance of residential,
commercial, recreational and open space uses in a neighbourhood.
This means that different types of densities are appropriate in
different places. Densities that are more than 25 units per hectare
(10 units per acre) provide enough residents and activity to support
neighbourhood retail and more efficient transit services.
Neighbourhood hubs near transit stations, town centres, civic
centre, where two neighbourhoods meet, and at major retail and
employment locations are ideal locations for more density and
diversity because they provide nearby employment, transportation
options and services.
In British Columbia, one way to encourage appropriate
densification and also obtain desired amenities such as affordable
housing and protection of the environment is to offer a voluntary
density bonus program for developers.
Examples of Compact, Complete Communities Zoning
Examples of Policies for Doing More with Less Land
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