Core Tech

Technology revitalizing urban areas
Broadband seen as way to link neighborhoods
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/fortwayne/business/17161086.htm

From the article:

"Broadband Internet will complement efforts to create pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, an urban planner told a crowd of more than 60 Monday at Grand Wayne Center."

"Duany helped found Miami-based urban planning Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. to design projects that discourage suburban sprawl. The firm is a leader in new urbanism, an architectural movement that seeks to revitalize urban areas by creating neighborhoods complete with homes, shops and entertainment."

"Before World War II, suburban sprawl was not a major problem. Neighborhoods contained a diverse mixture of homes and businesses. New urbanism is based on that approach to city planning, but it incorporates whatever modern technology is the most practical for residents, he said."

"This neighborhood structure can combat the drawbacks of Internet usage, Duany said. Instead of sitting in a room alone with the computer, residents in new urbanist developments are more likely to walk to local shops and talk to their neighbors."