Mobility and Community Form

Patterns
What makes a great place? Is it a safe and enjoyable community, or a strong economy? What do we remember when we think of the best places we have visited, lived, or worked in? Often, it is the presence of people gathered together. People, more often than buildings or streetscapes, imbue the built environment with life. For this
reason, planning should encourage activities that support a vibrant community life. Lively communities encourage people to gather, linger, and talk throughout their daily routines. Opportunities for chance meetings are balanced with the security of knowing how to move safely from place to place. People enjoy walking in vibrant communities, where traffic does not jeopardize pedestrian mobility. How can local governments plan for desirable activities, rather than simply for buildings and streets? One way is to plan jointly for mobility and community form. Patterns (pdf 4.3m) of mobility and community life in New Jersey include circulation, shopping streets, parking, transit stops, neighborhoods, public places, and the natural environment. They function both individually and together in communities large and small. Each pattern includes organizing principles that define and support that pattern and the activities it promotes. While not exhaustive, each principle represents one way to help nurture and support a healthy, successful, and desirable community. Local leaders and community members are encouraged to apply the patterns as they cultivate great places throughout the Garden State. (Click to enlarge, pdf 4.3m) There are files above that are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files, which is available free from our state Adobe Access page.