In the coming years, urban planning will be more important than it has ever been. As gas prices increase, more and more people will begin to move closer to jobs and services, and the demand for housing in city centers will continue to grow. The first wave has already begun in many cities, an account of which can be read here. This wave is primarily composed of young professionals, singles, and wealthy families. As supply catches up with demand, the second wave, made of middle-class families, will begin to make the migration away from cookie-cutter suburbs.

Cities need to understand this phenomenon and plan for it. New development and an influx of high-income people almost always means that lower classes are pushed out of their neighborhoods, either physically through demolition, or economically through increased land values. These inhabitants are likely to be long-term residents, creators of the culture of their blocks. The New York Times recently had this article, chronicling the street culture that leads to interactions between unlikely members of the community. The article also has this bit of information, that cities must take to heart and plan intelligently to prevent: Referring to the dinner that was occuring on the sidewalk below his apartment:

“It feels eccentric and odd here in New York,” he said from his open doorway, “like something more typical of Paris. Americans are very uptight, but if you go way uptown here, of course, everyone is outside. It’s when the money hits the street that it goes away.”

How can cities plan for the influx of money to city centers, and maintain the street culture that exists now? The solution is in the same ideals that shaped Jane Jacobs' vision for the city. Street details like low setback restrictions, wide sidewalks, sidewalk seating, public spaces, green space, bicycle facilities, as well as allowances for street-level dining and street performers all work to build neighborhood character. These elements bring people out of their homes and into the street, where they interact, build friendships, and self-police. Jane Jacobs spoke at length about the need for visibility to the streets, where neighbors could watch children at play, and everyone could work together to deter crime in the neighborhood. Higher interactions, lower crime, and friendships among neighbors are key to keeping city culture in tact.

As new residents move into new developments within the city center, planners must do whatever it takes to maintain street-level interactions that define the character of the neighborhood, and through smart design decisions these places will be maintained even as new mixes with old.