The idea behind the traditional neighborhood development (TND) is not a new one. Before World War II, neighborhoods, towns and cities throughout the country were built to comfortably accommodate community interaction among citizens. Lakewood follows some of the same principles found in these older neighborhoods:

1) The neighborhood has a discernible center. This is often a square or a green and sometimes a busy or memorable street corner. A transit stop would be located at this center.

2) Most of the dwellings are within a five-minute walk of the center, an average of roughly 2,000 feet.

3) There are a variety of dwelling types—usually houses, rowhouses and apartments—so that younger and older people, singles and families may find places to live.

4) At the edge of the neighborhood, there are shops and offices of sufficiently varied types to supply the weekly needs of a household.

5) A small ancillary building is permitted within the backyard of some houses. It may be used as a rental unit or place to work (e.g., office or craft workshop).

6) Streets within the neighborhood form a connected network, which disperses traffic by providing a variety of pedestrian and vehicular routes to any destination.

7) The streets are relatively narrow and shaded by rows of trees. This slows traffic, creating an environment suitable for pedestrians and bicycles.

8) Buildings in the neighborhood center are placed close to the street, creating a well-defined outdoor room.

9) Parking lots and garage doors rarely front the street. Parking is relegated to the rear of buildings, usually accessed by alleys.

10) Certain prominent sites at the termination of street vistas or in the neighborhood center are reserved for civic buildings. These provide sites for community meetings, education, and religious or cultural activities.

11) The neighborhood is organized to be self-governing. A formal association debates and decides matters of maintenance, security, and physical change. Taxation is the responsibility of the larger community.