New Hendrix-ism

So, as I'm driving back to Conway from work today, I start to think about the new Hendrix Village and whether or not my friend Phil is right about New Urbanism not being good. I quote:

"So here's my argument: While I like the idea of the amenities and green strategies entertained by New Urbanist developments like The Village and Somerset it just seems like these neighborhoods, having been cut out of whole cloth are instead only encouraging a whole new generation of inorganic community development ideas. Check out the Hendrix Village website. Nothing has been left to chance in their meticulous plans. Where is the "life" here? Where is the "breathing room" for self-expression? Where is the "diversity"?"

If you look at their website, you almost have to agree that this development is the inverse of the ghetto. The ghetto=an unplanned bastion of low-income residences, high crime and monochromatic socio-economic classes. The Village=The 100% planned utopia of high-income residences, (hopefully) low crime and MONOCHROMATIC SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASSES.

Phil's position that the Hendrix New Urbanist development is flawed is right...and wrong. Why? Because while the Hendrix New Urbanist development incorporates some aspects of New Urbanism, it (in my view) is not a true New Urbanist development. I would argue that it is more along the lines of a Neo-Traditional community. And for that explanation, I think we need a new definition of New Urbanism

New Urbanism is typically described as Mixed-Use development, incorporating the natural environment, multiple-transportation options, and density. In theory, this should be enough to allow a wide-variety of housing types, and in theory, a multitude of housing types increases socio-economic variety.

The reason the Hendrix Village is not by itself a New Urbanist development is because it does not truly have a variety of housing types. Sure there are $150,000 aparment flats in close proximity to $400,000 houses. And architecturally, these dwelling units are very diverse and are definitely not suburban style housing. But what fresh-faced college graduate can move into a $150,000 apartment? What person in their early 40s can afford to move into a $500,000 home? In practice, the only people that can move to this development, are the "upper-class." A very mono-chromatic socio-economic class.

I think it's important not to denigrate the Hendrix Development. It does provide for mixed-use and does offer some transportation options besides a car, including pedestrian walkability. It's a great improvement over the conventional subdivision. I think it's time, however, to develop a new concept of what New Urbanism is....at least for Conway. Because until HendrixCity fits into a larger framework of New Urbanist principles, it will remain a secluded development separate from the rest of the city...just like every other subdivision.

I think I shall term this new concept "The Diet Theory of New Urbanism." Allow me to ponder the implications.