Abstract:
This paper briefly describes new urbanist communities, livable places, transit-oriented development and reviews the role of the automobile in affecting the quality of urban life.Based on new urbanist principles, I will develop a hypothetical plan for a transit-oriented development. This development will have safe neighborhoods with a variety of housing, public transportation, reduced traffic congestion and reduced pollution compared to a typical suburban development. It will be a livable community where the young, old, rich and poor may find a place to live, work and play.The selected site for this project is located in Shelby County, Indiana, 18 miles southeast of Indianapolis on I-74. At present, the direction of urban growth in the area appears to be towards the north of Indianapolis, towards Noblesville. Once development has occurred in the north, it is possible that the direction of urban growth will be towards the south, towards Shelbyville. The site's proximity to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, the availability of large areas of land and the possibility that it could be an area for future growth makes Shelby County a good study area.