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 | Oct 12, 2020
Guidance offered for K-12 schools to support students with asthma
Green purchasing policies for cleaning, filters, furniture and other products encouraged.
Codes and Standards | Oct 7, 2020
More energy efficiency programs are encouraging zero-energy projects
At least 20 programs for new construction, major renovations emerge.
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2020
LEED, GBCI rating systems spur resilience-enhancing strategies
Expanded programs, resources address impact of climate change.
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2020
International Code Council to hold inaugural online education event
Week-long ICC Learn Live will include panel conversations, keynotes, and breakout sessions around key topics in building safety.
Codes and Standards | Oct 5, 2020
Guides addressing fenestration anchorage updated
First update to decade-old technical documents released.
Codes and Standards | Oct 1, 2020
Deadline extension for LEED 2009 project certifications
Delivery timeline delays due to COVID-19 pandemic prompt action.
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2020
New drinking water standard criteria further restricts lead leaching in plumbing products
Tightened standard applies to endpoint devices that dispense drinking water, and other plumbing components
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2020
Groups sue CDC over eviction moratorium
Natl. Apartment Assn. and New Civil Liberties Alliance want hearing by October.
Codes and Standards | Sep 24, 2020
Benefits of building enclosure commissioning include reduced costs
Savings achieved in less rework and fewer and shorter punch lists.
Codes and Standards | Sep 23, 2020
Intl. Code Council aims to stay ahead of new tech, efficiency trends, and resiliency
Passive survivability, social resiliency, and community health among the goals.
