New Urbanism is a design movement within urban design. It promotes neighborhoods that are walkable and contain a variety of home types and varied job opportunities. The movement began in the United States in the 1980s and traces its influences back to the standards that were popular before the rise of automobiles. Principles such as traditional neighborhood design and transit oriented development play a role in the movement. Proponents of the movement believe their ideas can benefit cities in multiple ways. They believe that by promoting walkable neighbors and a concentrating on access to transit, they can reduce traffic congestion. They also believe that the movement offers cities ways to create more affordable housing options and to control of urban sprawl. Overall, New Urbanism seeks to build communities in a more integrated and efficient manner, improving the lives of inhabitants and limiting the effects of sprawl.
