Sustainable Development Design

The word utopia was coined in 1516, by Thomas More and refers to the meaning “a good place.” If history can tell us anything it is that we have been in search of a version of being sustainable for a very, very long time.

From sustainable cities, self-sufficient farming communities, and yes others with religious or eccentric themes. The common thread though was the intention of sustainability within the design. Unfortunately, that goal was and remains a moving target. Sustainability is not a static point in time, it is more of a verb than a noun and is flexible to constant change.

Population growth, modern methods of living, and lifestyle changes all keep the need to constantly evolve into more suitable designs, for living. If not for that decade maybe even a year for some. As we search for our latest version of Green Utopia perhaps we can learn something from past designs. It really is surprising just how much history repeats itself.

Below are a few examples of concepts in sustainability that did not make it beyond the drafting table and then some that were built… but were not successful.

Drop City, Trinidad, Colorado

An experimental town consisting of Geodesic domes made from salvaged materials “for artist inventors, writers, and inventors. As a no-punishment society, a “Joy Fest” of drugs and more in 1967 started ringing the death knell for this Utopia.

Palmanova, Italy 16th century, the fortress city

Security was provided by a star-shaped city in concentric rings. Surrounded by a moat, with nine points of defense and only three gates in/out residents could hopefully, feel secure. Even though it never did see battle it was captured twice and set as a National Monument.

Arcosanti, Arizona

A city built for app 5000 residents to live sustainably. Built in 1970 and located seventy miles north of Phoenix. Nearly 8,000 people gave their time and talents to build a town based on frugality, experimental learning, and eco-mindedness

Ordos China a ghost city

A colossal failure is seen in this futuristic city. Void in human life it is filled with monuments, abandoned buildings, and partially completed projects.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Broadacre City

It was 1928 and Wright was 61 years old and ready to craft his legacy project. It was a time when there were three attitudes toward urban design. Wright was one of the most radical architectural mindsets of those times and Broadacre was his vision. Consisting of diversified units connecting residents to all they need within a 50-mile radius. He also thought not only would every person own a car but also a helicopter that could land without a landing strip. Even with supporters from the likes of Albert Einstein, John Dewey, and Nelson Rockefeller, Broadacre never came to fruition

Le Corbusier’s Radiant City Marseille, France

Although an unrealized project in 1922 this city was projected to house 3 million inhabitants with 60-story building towers.

Based on the concept of body functions with highly organized parts. A 1924 community design with neighbors sectioned off by function of use. (Leisure, commercial, business, transportation, residential.)

J. C. Penney Penny Farms Green Cove Springs, Florida

Yes, even J.C. Penny had his vision of a utopia of an N. Florida community. In 1922 he purchased 120,000 acres to develop a sustainable farming city. By 1927 20,000 acres were cleared, and 300 buildings were erected. The Great Depression slowed progress and most of the land was sold off. The remaining 200 acres were deeded to a self-sustaining retirement community and in 2010 had a population of 749.

In hindsight, our attempts for improved living, and building new designs/concepts might provide a few “what were they thinking” comments. But it was real at the time, so much so a lot of effort went into the plans. But our experiments in human nature and needs all are valuable to some extent as long as we learn something from them.

The growing need for more housing and diversification of types based on income and geography is undeniable. New materials, energy resources, transportation. and more are evolving. Meanwhile, populations swell, natural resources are strained, and waste never seems to really go “away”.

For me, well-intended experiments are welcome because they are ideas taken to the test, proven out, and leave behind valuable lessons.

With In Green Living, Joni Keefe shares nature-based design choices for urban greenspaces and Interior Design. Her interests follow sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly building products, and the latest trends in green design. She is a published writer with horticultural design work featured in national publications.

Utopian Developments And The Sustainable housing Search Continues