Traditional neighborhoods have endured and include most of the truly prestigious places to live. Why?   Traditional neighborhoods have common physical qualities which create  hospitable places to live.  Traditional neighborhoods throughout the Americas  are fundamentally the same.  Iowa City is fortunate to have many neighborhoods which serve as great examples for the new neighborhood on the Peninsula property.

Throughout the charrette process, the community and the design team arrived at a series of fundamental principles which adapt traditional neighborhood design conventions and local desires to this unique site.   These “big ideas”  will define the  character of the Peninsula.

An Identifiable Center & Edge
A neighborhood grows complete with an identifiable center of its own and defined edges.  The Peninsula will a have a defined edge that preserves the nearby green spaces.  A Square will define the center of the neighborhood.  On the square, you may have a grocery store, a daycare center, live/work buildings, as well as a stop for the bus.

A Mix of Housing Types throughout the Neighborhood
Lifestyles vary; people and families have different needs.  A mix of housing types can offer a range of homes to satisfy varying needs, lifestyles and incomes.   The neighborhood will offer a healthy mix of housing types ranging from apartments, rowhouses, live/work homes, one story detached homes, all the way to larger multi-story homes.
 
 
 

The Guitar Foundation in the Northside Commercial District was built in 1994. It is a live/work building which contains a musical instrument store and music school; the owner lives on the second floor.

Interconnected, Pedestrian-Friendly Streets
To make walking comfortable and safe along streets, certain design details are required.  Sidewalks are needed along streets.  Shade trees should be provided along most streets.  Streets must be naturally traffic calmed; they should not be excessively wide so as to encourage speeding.  Parallel, on-street parking should be the norm; parked cars add a layer of safety for pedestrians from moving vehicles.  Garage doors are located facing the alleys.
 
 
 

Iowa City's older neighborhoods have many examples of great streets.

Create a Connected Bike/Pedestrian Network
Streets, alleys, paths, trails, and river crossings can connect to each other within the neighborhood and lead outside the Peninsula.  Blocks will be small to provide more ways to move from one place to another within the neighborhood, unlike conventional suburban layouts.

Form Agreeable Streets and Squares
Memorable places have well defined streets and public spaces.  Buildings placed close to the sidewalk provide more comfort for pedestrians and greater opportunity for neighbors to interact.

Build within the Traditions of Midwestern Urban Architecture
The Midwest has many great neighborhoods and homes with a tradition uniquely adapted to the region.  The architecture of the Peninsula should incorporate and expand on those honest qualities of the regional building tradition.  Simple building conventions such as wide roof overhangs to soften sunlight, and social front porches should be incorporated regardless of the architectural “style”.

Preserve Trees & Vistas for Public Enjoyment
The neighborhood design should celebrate the unique qualities of the land.   Stands of mature trees, long vistas from the hilltop and woodland slopes should be preserved to the maximum practical extent.
 
 
 

An existing tree line on the Peninsula site

This daycare is convenient for families who live or work in the neighborhood.

John's grocery store in Iowa City