Designing Neighborhoods for Safer Destinational Walking

We recently wrote on the merits of destinational walking and the ways in which communities can be supportive of it. When we put pen to paper to design walkable neighborhoods, we strive to make walking a safe, useful, and enjoyable activity for all residents, regardless of age or ability.

Progressive Planning & Revitalization Strategies in Rural California

In July 2013, Opticos completed a Design Idea Book for the community of Bridgeport to help revitalize its Main Street business district. The town thrives off of through-traffic traveling between the Eastern Sierra destinations of Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and others, and wanted to preserve and capitalize upon its image as a rustic western town.

Beaufort County FBC Gets the Nod from Driehaus, CNU Charter Awards

Beaufort County has experienced incredible growth in the past 10 years, and is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. To help channel future growth toward existing urban areas, and protect the county’s rural character, the county, the City of ...

Port Royal Moves Forward with FBC Approval Process

The town council in Port Royal, SC, voted unanimously to give preliminary approval to the proposed Form-Based Code at its March 12 meeting. The Beaufort-Port Royal Metropolitan Planning Commission approved the proposal in December. Opticos Design was commissioned to create ...

Building on a Town’s Historic Fabric

New Urbanists—Opticos included—often talk about increasing walkability through high (or higher) density, mixed-use development. Many small cities and towns across the country hope to become The Next Big Thing by opening up large areas to commercial mixed-use development, rather than ...