Week 5 Discussion: New Urbanism and Landscape Urbanism

WEEK 5 DISCUSSION URBANISM
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Theories of urbanization have tended to split opinion sharply among the proponents of each. The two most important ones are the new urbanism and the landscape urbanism. New urbanism bases its premise mainly on the compactness of the urban center, while landscape urbanism is based on ecological and environmental awareness. Landscape urbanism is the counter-ego of new urbanism since it is the focus on building density over a small place, which is also near each other. Despite the names, the latter is the newer approach to urban design compared to the earlier. New urbanism is, however, a better proposition since by looking at its principles; it seems more comprehensive than landscape urbanism.
New urbanism incorporates principles that include the reinvigoration of urban centers through the conceptualization of novel developments which have their core around traditional centers. This approach also entails the re-planning of first suburban regions into town centers and the more traditional neighborhoods. New urbanism to a greater extent safeguards the environment by ensuring that the historical structures are well preserved within the urban plan.[Ryan, C.J. (2011). New urbanism, landscape urbanism, and the future of settlements. Retrieved from /stories/2011-02-02/new-urbanism-landscape-urbanism-and-future-settlements]
The main point that places new urbanism above landscape urbanism is its take on suburban development. Landscape urbanism strongly advocates for the growth of suburbs in line with the increased efforts on environmental conservation. On the other hand, however, new urbanism brings forth the idea that the promotion of the growth of suburbs is toxic to the overall health of the urban center, be it economical, social, environmental, as well as per the energy requirements. The genesis of the establishment and growth of suburbs is in itself a pointer to the fault in landscape urbanism since it has always bordered on the lines of favoritism and unfairness. For this reason, new urbanism stands out as the better option in urban planning.[Duany, Andres, and Emily Talen. 2013. Landscape urbanism and its discontents: dissimulating the sustainable city. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publisher...