The Walkable community Figure 2.4 (2) looks in more detail at the characteristics of a typical neighbou rhood.

A number of planning and urban- design principles can be drawn out: > Shops and services tend to be focused along a main street running through the heart of the neighbourhood, at the convergence of movement routes and around key facilities such as a railway station. The degree to which shops and services sp read outwards into surrounding streets is a function of the scale and role of a centre, the density of population (and spending power) within its catchment and the degree of competition from neighbouring centres. > Community facilities such as schools, health centres and open space are distri buted around the neighbourhood reflecting more localised catchments and their gr eater requirements for space. > The neighbourhood provides a wide range of different housing opportunities not just in terms of dwelling size but also in terms of affordability and tenure. T his provides the basis for a mixed community representative of society at large rather than having a narrow social focus. > Housing densities are highest around the edges of the toan or districi centre, along the principal transport routes leading to neighbouring centres and overlo cking parks, waterfront areas and other amenities. Densities reduce towards the edge of the walking catchment. > Movement routes are shared by cars, buses ( or trams), cyclists and pedestrian s and go through the centre rather than around it as well as through residential neighbourhoods. Road link metropolitan centre/ other towns Rail link transport interchange (trains, buses, cars, cycles, pedestrians) Higher densities along main roads Centre of 800m walking catchment (may be reduced by severance, road geometry and topography) Community facilities Urban parks ( attract higher densities) permeable road and foolpaath system