KENTLANDS

Kentlands is considered the second major and first nonresort community in the United States to embody the tenets of neotraditional town planning known as New Urbanism. It was developed by a Montgomery County residential builder, Joseph Alfandre, in conjunction with Duany and Plater-Zyberk (DPZ), established leaders in neotraditional town planning with Seaside, Florida. Principal characteristics of New Urbanism featured at Kentlands include walkability, mix of residential types for visual interest and a heterogeneous demographic, and commercial and recreational facilities. Referencing historical forms and styles, many houses have front porches and rear parking. This approach represented a break with typical suburban zoning and development in favor of replicating older patterns.

The first models opened in 1990, encompassing detached single-family houses, town houses, condominiums, and rental apartments designed to suit the metropolitan area’s preference for colonial imagery. In 1996, a retail and commercial area was developed centered on a new Market Square. Largely complete, Kentlands includes approximately 1,800 dwellings in eleven distinct neighborhoods, an elementary school, three commercial areas, and recreation facilities.