The Bottom-Up Revolution Courtyard Urbanism: The Best of Both City and Suburb
Jul 29, 2025
Alicia Pederson, a passionate advocate for courtyard urbanism, discusses its potential for transforming urban spaces into family-friendly environments. She highlights how mixed-use buildings around shared courtyards can enhance community living by providing both privacy and social interaction. Alicia also shares strategies for promoting this innovative development style, especially in underserved areas, and delves into the lessons learned from Chicago's housing initiatives. Tune in for insights on creating vibrant, sustainable neighborhoods!
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Benefits of Courtyard Urbanism
- Courtyard urbanism provides green, family-friendly density blending city and suburb benefits.
- It creates mixed-use blocks with private courtyards enabling a backyard feel in cities.
Personal Experience in Florence
- Alicia experienced courtyard living in Florence as an au pair, seeing kids safely play outside.
- Families had easy city access plus a semi-private yard, combining suburban comfort with urban lifestyle.
Creating Thriving Courtyard Spaces
- Keep courtyard spaces lively and not sterile by including mixed-use buildings and diverse residential unit sizes.
- Foster social integration with a range of family sizes and income levels living together in a block.