Neotraditional neighbourhood development in the Winnipeg area, examination of a theory

Abstract

Neotraditional development (NTD) is an alternative to contemporary sub ivision design. For inspiration it looks to the design of traditional small towns and includes their mixes of land use, grid street networks and architecture to help to create a sense of community. Although NTD communities are being constructed in various locations in North America, none have been built in the Winnipeg area. This study examines NTD theory, and explores the possibility of such a neighbourhood being created locally. It poses the question: Will the development industry in Winnipeg produce neotraditional developments? The study includes an overview of historical, traditional and contemporary suburbs, NTD theory, and an examination of current development practices. Eight local developers were interviewed, and the results of the interviews are compared to NTD theory to serve as a basis for conclusions drawn. The study concludes that the development industry in Winnipeg will not produce neotraditional developments in the foreseeable future. Such developments will not be constructed until the economics of NTD communities are attractive to developers, municipal development standards are viewed as negotiable, developers believe that they have the ability to affect the communities which they construct, and in their perception of the market there are benefits to developing land for people who would not buy a single-family house in a contemporary suburb.