New Haven, Connecticut

Urban Layout and Neighborhoods

Urban Layout

New Haven has a long tradition of urban planning and a purposeful design of the city's layout. Upon founding, New Haven was laid out in a grid pattern of nine square blocks; the central square was left open, in the tradition of many New England towns, as the city green (a commons area). To the present day, the New Haven Green remains almost unchanged from its original layout, and is home to three separate churches which speak to the original theocratic nature of the city.

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In the modern era, New Haven has undergone many urban redevelopment projects to revitalize and enhance the city with mixed results. The central downtown area, for one, has been the site of numerous experiments in urban re-design, with new hotels, shopping centers, a sports coliseum, and office towers built under city, state, and federal efforts. Some of these efforts, such as the New Haven Coliseum, were never officially completed; the Coliseum is now closed and on the verge of being torn down. The most recent sector being redeveloped is the "Ninth Square", named from the original nine square layout described above.

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Neighborhoods of New Haven

The city has many distinct neighborhoods despite its relatively compact size when compared to other cities. In addition to Downtown centered on the central business district and the Green, the southern neighborhoods including The Hill (neighborhood) and the harborside district of Long Wharf; the western neighborhoods of Edgewood-West River, Westville, and West Rock-Westhills; East Rock in the northeastern side of town; Fair Haven, located between the Mill and Quinnipiac rivers; the Italian-American neighborhood of Wooster Square; and across the Quinnipiac River facing the eastern side of the harbor, The Annex and Morris Cove.

Related Topics:
Downtown - Central business district - Green - The Hill (neighborhood) - Long Wharf - Edgewood-West River - Westville - West Rock-Westhills - East Rock - Fair Haven - Wooster Square - The Annex - Morris Cove

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Each neighborhood exhibits its own unique mix of ethnic, economic, and social qualities, combining influences from immigrants, long-time residents, and neighboring towns. The city's neighborhoods are, in general, seeing a rebirth of economic vibrancy and development, especially Downtown and Long Wharf.

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Greater New Haven

Despite being within the New York--Northern New Jersey--Long Island, NY--NJ--CT--PA Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area, New Haven is also contained within the more local New Haven--Meriden Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area where it serves as the primary metropolitan focal point for most of New Haven County and for a slice of Middlesex County. The metro area of Greater New Haven encompasses approximately 600,000 residents, many of whom commute to work in New Haven, and includes the following towns:

Related Topics:
Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area - Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area - New Haven County - Middlesex County - Greater New Haven

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In New Haven County

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• Bethany
• Branford
• Cheshire
• East Haven
• Guilford
• Hamden
• Madison

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• Meriden
• North Branford
• North Haven
• Orange
• Wallingford
• West Haven
• Woodbridge

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In Middlesex County

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• Clinton

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• Killingworth

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Derby and Milford are sometimes also considered to be part of Greater New Haven, although both towns lie on the border with the Greater Bridgeport area. Both of these towns are located in New Haven County.

Related Topics:
Derby - Milford - Greater Bridgeport

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