While walkable neighborhoods are often seen as a relic of the past, a new design movement, New Urbanism, is reviving this lifestyle. Arguably one of the most prominent planning reform movements of the 20th century, it seeks to create communities where residents are less reliant on cars and more often walk or ride bikes to their destination. These neighborhoods aim to be self-contained, offering all necessary amenities residents could need close to home, while also preserving the natural environment. Let’s take a closer look at the key elements of New Urbanism, and how they’re built into the design of Martin County’s newest community concept, Storie.
Communal Spaces Designed for Connection
One of the core tenets of New Urbanism is prioritizing placemaking and public spaces. These communities are designed with large communal areas as a focal point, providing spaces for daily interactions and public gatherings. They include plazas for events, schools for children, and a variety of storefronts, cafes, and restaurants, ensuring that residents have access to all necessities within a compact area that is easily accessible by foot or bike. By dedicating more land to public use, these neighborhoods benefit all residents. Storie’s community concept exemplifies this model through its envisioned Village Center. Situated at the heart of the community, this waterfront promenade would blend stylish shopping and dining options with a small-town ambiance. Future residents would be able to spend less time on the road and more time making memories with family and friends.
Embracing a Walkable Lifestyle
New Urbanism emphasizes accessibility and connectivity, with the community center just a five-minute walk from the edge. Residential options surround the central communal spaces, connected by wide sidewalks and trails, promoting physical activity and reducing environmental impact by minimizing car use. This design also fosters a deeper sense of community. Whether it’s children playing in the streets or neighbors walking together to an event, these welcoming blocks nurture a spirit of belonging. Storie’s planned housing options, including villas, townhomes, apartments, and single-family homes, would prioritize pedestrian-friendly features. 38 miles of nature trails could weave through open spaces, with sidewalks and paths on every street that would to the Village Center and other amenities.
Living in Harmony with Nature
New Urbanism’s focus on consolidating homes and public spaces into a central area not only promotes community but also helps preserve natural landscapes. With buildings clustered together, more land is left available for conservation and preservation purposes. This approach not only avoids diminishing the natural landscape, but also amplifies and highlights the surrounding wetlands through sustainable practices. Residents would have the opportunity to live a naturally inspired lifestyle, with the great outdoors always within reach. Storie’s New Urbanism design would ensure that 55% of the existing natural landscapes remain untouched, offering numerous opportunities for residents to connect with nature.
Outdoor Adventures for All Martin County Residents
New Urbanism doesn’t always benefit just the residents who live within the community. Storie’s plans include green space and clean water initiatives that would benefit all Martin County residents. The envisioned Storie Regional Park would be open to the public, featuring community pools, colorful playgrounds, tennis and pickleball courts, and a wide range of sports fields. The community concept also plans to clean up to 500 million gallons of water each year from the C-44 Canal that would normally discharge directly into the St. Lucie River. The serene waters would wind gracefully throughout the community, with convenient launch points for kayaking and paddleboarding. Large freshwater lakes could make Storie a haven for fishing enthusiasts as well. Whether gliding through the waterways on a non-motorized boat or casting a line from the pier, anglers of all ages would be able to reel in a prized catch at Storie.
New Urbanism Concepts Envisioned for Martin County’s Future
Clean water and open spaces are just the beginning of ways this eco-minded neighborhood would bring together the community. A vibrant community park, a K-12 charter school, an open-air amphitheater, and plentiful outdoor activities have also been planned for Storie. As Storie progresses toward finalizing the details of this community concept, additional information will be revealed shortly. To receive a copy of the Storie Time magazine with more details on the vision for this community, or to see the newly released vision video, register your interest at StorieFL.com.
