Located near the rapidly growing metropolis of Charlotte, the town of Cornelius was beginning to feel the pressures of urban sprawl. Rather than allow unregulated development to destroy the town.s character and discourage walking, officials decided to create a new development code. Local planners undertook a planning process with help from the College of Architecture of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The result was a new code oriented strongly around maintaining pedestrian access. Among other specific measures, the code requires sidewalks on both sides of streets, encourages connectivity by banning gated streets and severely restricting cul de sacs, and stipulating that conflicts between pedestrian and motor traffic uses be resolved in favor of pedestrians. The intent of the plan is to maintain the town.s pedestrian friendly environment and its vibrant business districts.
The plan was finished in 1996, and was adopted as official city policy.
Goal
Incorporating Active Living Strategies into New Development