When reading Lydia DePillis’ post from a few days ago on whether NoMa will turn out to be simply L’Enfant Plaza with snazzier design we here at The Yardstick began to wonder what really makes neighborhoods or business districts work? And since RF is all about measurable targets we’re not interested merely in what conventional wisdom says but rather what leads to tangible results.

In short we want your opinion. There are a number of principles that are commonly bandied around by urban and economic development planners – accessible sidewalks access to transit a variety of eating establishments anything written here etc. – that are deemed vital for successful place-making. However there are some areas that follow all the rules and still languish in inactivity. Why do some places stick and others flop?