Besides those obstacles, new urbanists must also win theapproval of retailers and mortgage lenders who are more likely toprefer conventional suburban planning, the conference was told. Apanel of speakers included Charlotte developer Neal Coker and ToddMansfield, president of the Crosland Group in Charlotte.

In a published report, Coker says new urbanism can be tough topromote even in urbanized areas. He was recently lambasted in ameeting by more than 100 angry residents who object to his proposedproject at Oberlin Road and Wade Avenue in Charlotte.

Coker notes that for every five people who buy a condo in hisnew building on Glenwood Avenue, an additional 100 would rather buya house in the suburbs. He thinks it's understandable that he tryhis hand at new urbanism, but government should not try to imposenew urbanism concepts at a location where it won't work. He plansto build homes, offices, shops and a movie theater in mult-tenantedbuildings near some of Raleigh's oldest neighborhoods.