On a recent episode of the Talking Headways podcast, host Jeff Wood was joined by Naama Blonder to discuss her newly released book, "Building Charm: A Hyper Practical Guide to Developing Outstanding New Neighborhoods," co-authored with Misha Bereznyak. While the title suggests a focus on aesthetics, the conversation revealed that the core argument is a radical rethinking of street design and functional road classifications to create more people-oriented places.
Blonder explained that the book's title underwent significant changes during development. The original concept was titled "Dense and Charming," but the authors realized that in English, the word "dense" can imply stupidity. They ultimately settled on a title intended to represent the positive outcome of their work. Blonder emphasized that the book is not merely about buildings but addresses how society has prioritized car convenience over people for five decades, a status quo that now requires correction.
The discussion highlighted specific issues with current municipal engineering standards. Blonder noted that the most intimate residential streets are often designed to be 20 meters wide, a dimension she argues is unnecessary and excessive. She advocates for revising these standards to reduce asphalt usage, which currently consumes land that could otherwise be used for housing. The authors propose a system of street hierarchies that includes through streets, car-light mews, and dedicated pedestrian streets, rather than attempting to fit cars, parking, bike lanes, transit, and sidewalks into a single 38-to-45-meter right-of-way.
Jeff Wood praised the book as a radical transportation text that addresses why modern neighborhoods often fail to match the charm of older cities. He shared his personal experience living in a San Francisco neighborhood built in 1892, before cars existed, noting how the design fosters social ties and familiarity among neighbors. Wood argued that focusing on two-ton vehicles occupying large amounts of space prevents the creation of these people-oriented centers.
Blonder clarified that their approach is "hyper-practical" rather than purely theoretical or reliant on future technologies like self-driving cars. The goal is to provide implementable tools for designers and municipalities. She reported positive experiences working with various municipal teams, noting that engineering standards are often recommendations rather than rigid zoning laws. By offering a menu of street types that still accommodates service access, emergency vehicles, and deliveries, the authors aim to balance functionality with the creation of walkable, charming communities.
Sources: Streetsblog USA.