New Bern, NC
West New Bern
Picturesque Community Embracing Coastal Carolina Charm
status
Ongoing
client
Weyerhaeuser NR Company
expertise
Master Planned Communities
services
Landscape Architecture, Master Planning, Land Planning
A Place to Interact With Nature on a Personal Level
At a time when people would only visit the North Carolina coast to escape winter and enjoy the summer months, West New Bern redefines coastal living to give them a reason to stay year-round.
Situated on 500+ acres and only minutes from downtown New Bern, West New Bern is bringing together all the great qualities of eastern North Carolina and the coast to a new mixed use, master planned community. With existing infrastructure in place from previous development efforts, the stage was set but an outdated vision lingered. Weyerhaeuser engaged LandDesign to craft a new vision and master plan for the first phase that would position the community for long-term success and re-energize developers, businesses, homebuyers, and the community at large about the future of West New Bern.
The master plan integrates a wide range of housing options organized in a walkable pattern, accompanied by a vegetated streetscape that encourages residents to explore their community and engage with neighbors. A mobility network connects all neighborhoods to retail, office, and open space amenities through various modes of transportation along pedestrian-scaled blocks. A 30-acre signature lake is the crown jewel of the community and pays homage to New Bern’s historic waterfront and coastal culture. The lake is not only an aesthetic and recreation amenity for residents and visitors, but functions as part of the site’s stormwater management system, filtering runoff from surrounding development. Redefining what it means to be a coastal town in eastern North Carolina, West New Bern is creating new growth opportunities for businesses and is positioned to be a community-of-choice for homebuyers throughout every stage of life.
The open space experience is the driving force behind the vision for West New Bern. Surrounded by preserved woodlands, nearly every corner of the site touches nature, and a thoughtful open space network creates opportunities for residents and visitors to interact with the landscape on a personal level. A pedestrian-friendly parkway acts as an emerald necklace that extends throughout the site and connects to adjacent trails, parks, and recreation fields. Drawing inspiration from New Bern’s coastal roots, a 30-acre lake encourages residents and visitors to explore the community by paddleboard, kayak, or canoe.
Open Space as the Foundation for West New Bern
To preserve the open space experience beyond the first phase, LandDesign worked with the City of New Bern to embed the guidelines for the landscape into the local code so that future development would adhere to the vision set for West New Bern.
Several major roadways had already been installed from previous development efforts but, unfortunately, they did not account for the increased trend in alternative transportation. The parkway that serves as the main entrance to West New Bern was very wide and included a complex, two lane roundabout that was not welcoming to pedestrians. LandDesign integrated a series of curb bump outs to minimize the width of the parkway and allow for on-street parking. Additionally, the roundabout was reduced to one lane, making the transportation experience safer for pedestrians. An off-street, buffered trail parallels the parkway and creates a new opportunity for residents and visitors to explore the community outside of a vehicle. For those driving to and from the community, the parkway is lined with an enhanced landscape and preserved pine trees that encourage slower driving and create a scenic entrance into West New Bern.
Physical
Manage stormwater runoff close to the source - a sustainable process that creates an aesthetic and iconic amenity for the community
Functional
Deploy a diversity of products to foster the diverse community West New Bern envisions - accommodating homebuyers in a variety of life stages
Social
Enhance quality of life by beginning the open space, natural experience from residents' doorstep through trails, parks, and multi-modal networks
Physical
Manage stormwater runoff close to the source - a sustainable process that creates an aesthetic and iconic amenity for the community
Functional
Deploy a diversity of products to foster the diverse community West New Bern envisions - accommodating homebuyers in a variety of life stages
Social
Enhance quality of life by beginning the open space, natural experience from residents' doorstep through trails, parks, and multi-modal networks