Associative Design: American Dream 2.0

By Urbanist in Architecture & Design, Urban Videos, Urbanism

People used to dream of moving out of the city into single-family homes with white picket fences. More and more, however, the call for sustainability and an increased interest in urban living has brought people back into cities. From luxury condos to refitted warehouse lofts, residential living in urban areas is on the rise. This collective drive, coupled with new computer technologies, has led to the development of creative new ways of designing urban residences. This amazing video shows the ways in which people are rethinking urban density:

The goal is “low-rise, high-density neighborhoods” – something Amercians traditionally associate with low income living and overcrowding. This paradigm, however, is changing rapidly. Before you know it the suburban stand-alone will be completely out of vogue, and the urban condo will be the American Dream (2.0)

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It’s interesting applying an Australian perspective here. There are people (though not a large number by any means) who are opting to make “sea changes” and move out of cities, usually to more remote coastal or beach areas (hence the term sea change).

They often live in environmentally sustainable houses that, for instance, are partially solar powered, use gray water for cleaning and in the garden, and also grow some of their own food. Computer technologies allow these people to work at distance from their employer, or have their own home based businesses.

Certainly in this part of the world *leaving* the cities, or urban areas, is hailed as the trend!

That is definitely an interesting perspective from the other side of the world! The dominant trend/attitude in the States still seems to consider the suburbs over the city, but the tides appear to be turning and city condos in mid-sized cities like Seattle and Minneapolis seem to be increasing in price ever faster. Still, you’re right: non-city living can also be sustainable these days.

As a young Australian; I would like to add a counter point to John Lampard comment. The ‘Sea change’ phenomomon is only taken up by ‘baby boomers’ who are very wealthy and semi-retired. It would be more environmentally friendly if they choose to live closer to a city and other *essential* services. One day soon, they will be too old to safely drive a car.

Country living isn’t environmentally sustainable, it’s a luxury item! As was Marie Antoinette’s The Petit Hameau (The Little Hamlet). I would just like to be able to afford somewhere not next to a freeway. :)