Little Box in a Big Box
Sunset Cities in many ways are critiqued for their massive sprawling suburbs, and rightfully so from a land use efficiency standpoint which relaties some area to persons per square unit. However, as Margaret Crawford, Ellen Dunham-Jones, and June Williamson suggested much can be gained from this rapid expansive development. At this point in our lives, sprawl and suburban growth are inevitable facts of life in the United States, but I believe the key to more healthy growth is to cordon these pockets of growth off and stop allowing outward expansion. Many suburbs in Charlotte, Atlanta, etc. already function as microcities within a larger whole network of a city. Prevent further outward expansion and focus on developing smaller "pocket cities". This of course would need to be coupled with an appropriate transportation system, public or not. Within those pockets, concentrate the growth to create more dense areas through infill development incentives. Once areas reach certain population densities have been reached or economic centers have developed, the cordon can expand to allow for new growth or new pockets can be created all together. The result will require greater design intent and control, but at the same time will begin to alleviate the sprawling concerns.
As far as the architecture of these homes, I believe that track housing is a necessary chaotic part of modern society. We just cannot keep up with growth, period. Margaret Crawford outlines a solid argument for the "little box" being less of a necessary-to-design-everything and more of a tool for an aging and evolving population. The true life of a home is not necessarily in the studs, finishing, and tectonics of the house, but in the activity and livelihood of the residents and the community it exists within. Boxes can be made more complex, even wiped away, but you cannot shape a person with a table saw or CNC. Promoting healthy communities should be the focus of new development, not necessarily an architect designed home everywhere, beginning first with existing communities and looking towards the future.
London Congestion Cordon
As far as the architecture of these homes, I believe that track housing is a necessary chaotic part of modern society. We just cannot keep up with growth, period. Margaret Crawford outlines a solid argument for the "little box" being less of a necessary-to-design-everything and more of a tool for an aging and evolving population. The true life of a home is not necessarily in the studs, finishing, and tectonics of the house, but in the activity and livelihood of the residents and the community it exists within. Boxes can be made more complex, even wiped away, but you cannot shape a person with a table saw or CNC. Promoting healthy communities should be the focus of new development, not necessarily an architect designed home everywhere, beginning first with existing communities and looking towards the future.
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