New Urbanism is an urban design movement that originated in the United States during the 1980s in response to a growing concern about the ecological and societal impacts of urban and suburban sprawl. Key components of the movement include a focus on planning communities that are easily accessible to pedestrians, provide access to public transportation options, and feature mixed use buildings. Commercial districts in New Urbanist planned communities generally have buildings that are close to the street, have multiple stories incorporating both residential and office space, utilize storefronts that are at the same level as pedestrians, and often adhere to principles of green design. These measures aim to create human environments that reduce the need for automobile dependency, while promoting aesthetics and a sense of place that is lacking in most suburban retail oriented landscapes.















Seaside, Florida is an example of one of the earliest New Urbanist communities in the United States

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_urbanism