The Ironies of New Urbanism (Report‪)‬

Abstract New urbanism principles increasingly influence planning practice and policy in several countries. This review suggests that experience with new urbanism projects has begun to expose some contradictions between theory and practice. The rhetorical strategy taken by new urbanism proponents attacks conventional twentieth century planning paradigms and principles. Practice, however, reveals several ironies for new urbanism: it appeals to traditional forms and values while adopting modernist tactics; it supports enhancing the public realm while advancing the private realm; it advocates urban forms while building suburban enclaves; it calls for democratic and participatory communities and an egalitarian social vision while insisting on the need for expert judgement and producing developments for elite consumers.