This paper explains the origin, principles, and several Australian applications of the New Urbanism, an approach to urban planning and design that effectively began in the USA in 1991, and is now gaining increasing support worldwide. `New Urbanism' covers a range of urban design and development philosophies, which recognise that the physical coherence of communities is an essential part of their social and economic well-being. It aims for a varied built environment, which can accommodate cars, public transport, and pedestrians, and which has a highly interconnected street network, with good traffic management, traffic safety, efficiency, and accessibility. Actual New Urbanist developments adjust street layouts and details in many ways that work synergistically to produce the potential benefits of reduced traffic generation and improved modal shares for public transport, walking, and cycling. For a long time, the West Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) took responsibility for metropolitan planning in the city of Perth, and produced many high-quality suburbs. The paper details the West Australia Liveable Neighbourhoods Community Design Code that the WAPC evolved from 1996 on. It shows how New Urbanism could greatly reduce travel demand, especially when structured across whole regions.
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