Show 15 - The Community Builder

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What qualifies a community to be on the New Urban Mom Top Ten Communities List? A commitment to building or redeveloping neighborhoods that will nurture a real sense of community.

That’s not an easy concept to explain and that’s why we’re thrilled to have on this week’s show the builder responsible for the New Urban Mom Top Ten List community, Longleaf .

Longleaf development’s Perry Reader, is an architect and planner who was there when new urbanism took hold in the U.S. over 20 years ago. Today as President of the Florida division of Crosland he is part of a company which has as its corporate mission the development of sustainable communities that enhance urban and natural environments.

Listen in as Perry informs us on what makes his firm’s communities so beneficial for the people living there and the environment as a whole.

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, Podcast, community, homes, new urbanism, urban communities

The Commuting Problem

The case for urban living: Even though we know that long commutes increase pollution and have a lousy impact on one’s quality of life, it is still a reality of life for millions of people who simply don’t live close to their place of employment.

In my town this continues to be a challenge that is newsworthy as so many commuters are looking for solutions.  In that vein I thought I’d share some options that are being discussed in my region.

Move Closer to Work

This is one of the most obvious choices, but also among the most difficult to make. If you are a suburbanite with a job located in a distant urban core that could mean a significant change in living accommodations and neighborhoods.  And while you would save on your commuting costs, you could take on an even larger mortgage or monthly housing cost. Thriving cities with residential options are often VERY expensive. If you’re on a limited income your only option may be to downsize in order to afford housing within your budget.

That could mean selling your larger suburban home and purchasing a smaller town home or condo.  This sounds worse than it actually is as many builders/developers are coming up with beautiful urban home and community designs that rival suburban and rural options in comfort, style and livability.

Another choice is the rental option.  Depending on your investment preferences you could choose to  sell your suburban home, invest the liquidated equity from that sale in some financial instrument, and sign onto a leased apartment or home in the city.

Choosing to move to the city is not a choice for everyone, but for some  families, or empty nesters or individuals/couples with children in college or on their own, this is a viable choice.  I know of a few couples who decided that since they couldn’t afford the 700K+ price tag of most single family city homes in their region, they were going purchase or rent smaller condominiums.  Being close to live theaters, art galleries, museums, cafes, good stores and a walkable urban neighborhood was THAT important to them.

Lobby for Better Commuter Transit

In many regions there are beautiful commuter trains that can zoom commuters into the city in minutes.  The experience is fast, convenient and so much better for the environment as every full train represents hundreds of cars (and their poisonous emissions) that are not on the road.

Here’s the problem: unless you are in a very well financed and busy region, there are almost never enough commuter trains to meet the need.  It’s a vicious cycle…you need enough commuters taking the train to provide additional service, but if there isn’t sufficient service many will choose not to take the trains.

For instance where we live the last commuter train leaves at 8:30 a.m. in the morning.  The last train leaving the city in the evening leaves at 6:00 p.m.  So if you have to go into work later or stay later at work, you’re out of luck.  This inflexibility keeps many of my neighbors in their cars, which is unfortunate.

So lobby, lobby, lobby - and push for better schedules.  If all else fails…search out employment close to home and look seriously into the benefits of the urban lifestyle.

The picture of urban homes featured above is courtesy of Gothamistllc.com.

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, commuter transit, commuting, new urbanism, urban living

At the Root of it all - Education

Well there is no argument that re-shaping our communities to be places where we can work, live and play is a fantastic movement taking foot in our country.  But there is still one important component of community life that needs to be more consistently addressed…for all our sakes.

That component is public education.

It’s wonderful to live in a community where there are vibrant public schools, with engaged parents, top notch teachers, well stocked book shelves, computerized classrooms and a strong extra curricular program. The sad part is not all of our schools are like this. The saddest part is that an awful lot of our schools are no where close to being like this - especially in those troubled areas where kids need strong education services the most.

Whether you think charter schools are the answer for some troubled communities or simple, old fashioned parental involvement - whatever the solution, I encourage you to voice your opinions and engage your political leaders to examine and support the best options for your community and others.

Our public schools should be community hubs - lively centers where children and parents have positive and inspiring experiences.

I happen to be happy with my own local public schools and you may be too, but that should not stop you nor I from making sure that local politicians have a position on education reform that addresses the inequities in our education system.   A discipline, safety or academic achievement problem in one community will only manifest itself as another type of problem down the road.  Poorly educated, undisciplined students today can become disengaged, troubled adults in your community tomorrow.

Some Statistics:

• According to the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, 30% of Grade 9 students fail to finish high school with a diploma.
• In 2003:  the U.S. ranked 15 out of 29 OECD countries in reading literacy (OECD: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development); the U.S. ranked 25 out of 30 OECD countries in mathematics literacy.

This is a country rich in knowledge and resources.  Surely we can do better for our kids…all of our kids.

Tags: Education, Featured, academics, community schools, education, literacy, public education

Show 14 - Career and Business Advice for Moms

Do you want your children to follow in your entrepreneurial footsteps? Better yet, do you dream of them taking your business to the next level? If you’re not entrepreneurial are you itching to find a way to get back into your career or into a new career?

If any of the above apply to you then you’re in luck.  Today’s guest is popular author, speaker and career development expert, Lindsey Pollak.  Running a business or managing a career can be a wonderful influence on your children and Lindsey is living proof of that.  As the daughter of renowned entrepreneur and business coach, Jane Pollak, Lindsey has successfully followed in her footsteps and taken that business in new directions of her own. Listen in as Lindsey talks about what it’s like to be raised by an entrepreneurial mother.

We’re just one of the many media outlets to benefit from Lindsey’s advice.  She’s been featured in such high profile venues as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post and CNN.com.

Resource Links:

Lindsey Pollak’s Blog
Ideal Bite - Bite sized ideas for Green Living
BRAG The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It

Tags: Featured, Podcast, Your Work, career planning, Careers, coach, Lindsey Pollak, women in business

Community Organizers Shape our World for the Better

Well we’re in the heat of a U.S. election battle and while this isn’t a political website, this is a site that champions the power of community.  So I take great exception to  slams against community organizers.  Sen. Barack Obama’s background as a “community organizer” was maligned during the Republican convention.

Whether you support Sen. Obama and the Democrats or Sen. McCain and the Republicans you might want to consider weighing in on this issue.

As an active mom, church member, PTA member, former town promotion volunteer, and new urbanism champion, I think what I’ve done requires some responsibility.  I think many who have assumed  the role of “community organizer” would be offended by the campaign’s assertion that such a role carries with it  no responsibility.

Unless you do in fact believe in big government control, which I highly oppose, how could you not champion the people who take it upon themselves to respond to issues in the community and to ACT? The Democrats and the Republicans are parties that are both strengthened by the hard work of such people.

The same holds true for the focus of this website. New urbanism communities today are unique and attractive places in our suburbs and cities that thrive on the contribution, creativity and dedication of individuals who want to create inspiring, clean, safe and culturally stimulating communities.

We want communities that support our desires to start our own businesses or secure good employment; nurture strong families and; live a “green” lifestyle.  Most importantly we want all of this to be sustainable.

Without these “community organizers” our new urbanism neighborhoods aren’t sustainable and remain just an idea.  The fact that new urbanism was an idea that became a slow and steady reality over the last 18 years is a testament to the “community organizers” and visionaries in urban planning, architecture, residential construction, sustainable “green” development and grassroots neighborhood advocacy.

So let’s hope we have an election that examines the real issues facing Americans and let’s hope it is done with compassion and respect for the true potential that is within all of us to do what is right for our families, our country and the environment.

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, Community organizers, Democrats, new urbanism, Republicans, Senator Barack Obama

New Urbanism comes to Hollywood…Florida

The town of Hollywood, Florida is just about ready to approve the construction of an “urban village” that will cost upwards of $500 million. This ought to have some impact on efforts to curb urban sprawl by keeping/attracting residents to more urbanized areas of this region.

Even though this Florida development is described as the model of the future “that will feature connected network of streets accommodating pedestrians, cars and bicycles” it still had to overcome significant concerns of county and city governments and local residents before getting to this final stage of approval.

That’s a point worth noting in order to manage some expectations. One of the reasons that new urbanism has had a slow but steady growth over the last 18 years or so is that it requires appropriate infrastructure and “communications” to ensure sustainability and community buy in.

Introducing a high density project to a neighborhood isn’t always greeted with open arms and that’s no surprise. Visions of crowded spaces and noise come to mind and no one wants that.

What we do want, however, is a cleaner environment and a way to reduce costly commutes to work. Over the years architects and community planners have come up with increasingly better designs that build on the strengths of urban living while finding ways to incorporate green space and other features that support a healthier lifestyle. Those improvements are converting more naysayers into new urban champions.

To read more about Hollywood, Florida’s newest new urban community click here.

Tags: Featured, community, Florida, new urbanism, shopping

Community Stars - The 2008 Top Ten List

Are you finally ready to bite the bullet, back up your plans with action and move your family into a community that really supports green living? If so, help is at your fingertips. Our New Urban Mom Top Ten New Urban Communities List for Fall 2008 is HERE!

In this list you’ll see pictures and descriptions of some of the most interesting and affordable for purchase and for rent new urban community homes across the country. Some communities are in the heart of our cities and others are in the suburbs.

Take a leisurely look and even if you’re not planning on moving, see if there are some ideas that might be incorporated into your home or community.  I hope you enjoy the list.

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, community, green living, new urbanism