Small-Scale Neotraditionalism in Cary, North Carolina

A Case Study of Carpenter Village

Abstract

Many newly-constructed neighborhoods claim to have "old timely charm," a "unique sense of ambiance," a "sense of community," or a "neighborly feel." These terms are often used to describe a planning movement that continues to gain momentum in cities and municipalities across the country. Neotraditional, as these neighborhoods are often labeled, can however, be a vague and confusing notion, because it is an oxymoron. How can something be new and old simultaneously? To lend clarity to the neotraditional planning concept, this paper examines the emergence of the movement in the planning literature, the objectives, design features, and critiques, of the movement, and provides a case study of aneotraditional neighborhood in Cary, North Carolina.