A Yearning for the Old

A few architects in the past ten years have been working in an area called "New Urbanism."  Pictures of their carefully planned developments have appeared in Martha Stewart Living and also recently in the Akron Beacon Journal.

The crux of their theory is that people yearn for the old lifestyle that they remember in their youth.  The carefree, safe, shared lifestyle that children thrive in. 

In these developments, it looks as though houses spaced quite close together face one another with a large common "yard" in the area in front.  There are walkways going in and around the space, and some have a communal fire pit while others might have a shared swimming pool or other entertainments.  Front porches are the rule, so that folks can sit out in the evenings and either just wave at their neighbors or visit one another with a glass of something in their hands.

Some of the houses are much smaller, but there are plenty that pack quite a few square feet into them.  They have all of the amenities that people want these days:  hardwood floors, granite countertops, open floor plans, and well equipped bathrooms.  There are some 55+ areas that use the same adaptation as well, and these developments are worked in and around golf courses.

Of course, this utopian concept relies on the theory that the neighbors will get along and enjoy one another.  It implies that children will behave and be respectful of the common areas while they play.  It suggests that all of the folks who live in the planned development share common core values.

If you think about some of the things I've written in this blog over the past so many months, one of the themes that runs through many of the postings is that I believe people are longing for God.  In New Urbanism they may want to shed the isolation of the typical neighborhoods and try something completely different.  In my opinion, the desire to be closer to people equals a desire to be closer to God.  For we often find God through others; we often seek out wisdom in others; we often join in with others looking for the deeper meaning in life.  One thing that I did not see mentioned in the stories about the planned developments is the location of churches.  That would be an important facet, to me anyhow.

What keeps people from crossing the street and talking to neighbors in typical developments?  There isn't much of anything that often divides us.  Many suburban streets are not overloaded with traffic.  We don't know our neighbors all that well, and we've lived here since 1987.  I'm kind of embarrassed by that!!  What used to keep me away was the hectic pace of work, raising children, and housework, plus our house is in a cul-de-sac.  It's hard to juggle all of those things and stay sane.  But what's my excuse now?

In the allotment where one of my sons lives, they used to have a huge "block" party each year with everyone bringing a dish, kids playing together, music, and games.  The movers and shakers who brought about these wonderful get-togethers have moved to other places now, and the parties are a thing of the past.  It was a great concept.

We'll just have to see how Redmond, Washington and some of the other developments make out over a longer period of time.  Will the luster wane?  Will property values stay firm? Who knows?

Meanwhile, I'll try to be much more neighborly.