In sharp contrast to most suburban communities in the Washington, D.C. area, Bethesda, Md. stands out as a fine exemplar of the new urbanism ethos.
Bethesda’s downtown area has become a densely populated, walkable area with multiple mass transit options. The central core of the Montgomery County community is vibrant with retail spaces, offices, and restaurants nestled among apartment buildings and condominiums.
Over the last few decades, Montgomery County rezoned areas around major transit hubs to allow increased density, embraced a mix of uses, and removed minimum parking requirements in downtown Bethesda. One D.C. Metro light rail station serves the area, with another in the planning stages.
Like other D.C. suburbs, Bethesda had been built up in the standard sprawl fashion, and more recently has been retrofitted into a more sustainable community. In order to foster smarter development, the county offers a density bonus for developers who are allowed to build bigger and taller if they put their parking below ground.
(http://grist.org/cities/heres-the-right-way-to-make-transit-and-density-work-in-the-suburbs/)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 12, 2021
Two net-zero hotel projects could portend a new hospitality trend
Energy-intensive sector comprises 10% of all commercial real estate.
Codes and Standards | Jan 11, 2021
Zero Energy Buildings growth driven by government policy, stringent codes, technologies
Restraints include high upfront cost, and lack of universal definition and approaches.
Codes and Standards | Jan 11, 2021
HUD releases new Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements
First update of ‘safe harbors’ in 15 years provides better clarity for design and construction firms.
Codes and Standards | Jan 8, 2021
Court ruling gives UpCodes upper hand in fight over building codes database
Battle over IP property claims by ICC and other codes bodies continues.
Codes and Standards | Jan 8, 2021
Houston creates tax incentives for green stormwater elements
Businesses that install green roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavement, and rainwater harvesting are eligible.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2021
Trump’s classical design aesthetic mandate for federal buildings likely to be felt for years
May limit the number of firms that could compete for contracts.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2021
Workers on some of Virginia’s major construction projects sue subcontractors for wage theft
Projects include new General Assembly Building, outpatient facility at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
EPA finalizes first major update to Lead and Copper rule
Will accelerate pace of lead service line replacement.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
Flood risk for affordable housing expected to triple by 2050
Some communities will have 90% of their affordable housing at risk.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2021
Ranks of remote workers expected to double in five years
Nearly 23% of employees will work from outside of offices.
