ANDREW ELLIOTT​

Current Issues in Architecture led students to question and research ideas and problems in the design world today.  Urban development was one of the issues deliberated.  Since the 1950’s urban sprawl has been a major force behind city problems such as smog, traffic and deteriorating urban communities.  Many studies and theories have stemmed from the need to combat sprawl.  One of the major concepts for new-age city design as a response to sprawl was “New Urbanism”.  This research project explored urban history as well as recent urban design theories and case studies to determine if American cities could be saved from sprawl.

Sprawl developed after World War II when the government offered special low interest loans to veterans while building over 40,000 miles of interstate highways.  Dolores Hayden explained in her book, Building Suburbia, developers marketed outer city homes as the “American Dream” because they were anxious to turn a profit through suburban growth.  Those with the means were persuaded by the appeal of a big back yard and an escape from typical city life.  Co-founder of the Congress of New Urbanism and author of Suburban Nation, Andres Duany, argued that society was hurt by the weakening of communities due to the individualism, isolation and segregation that sprawl produced.  The New Urbanism movement attempted to design suburban communities within the city limits by promoting the creation and restoration of diverse, walk-able, compact, mixed-use communities.  New Urbanism could be seen as a healthy alternative to sprawl in an effort to bring the public back to the city.  Communities such as Kentlands in Washington D.C. and Trussville Springs in Birmingham, AL have shown the success of New Urbanism developments.  New Urbanism design techniques such as self-sustaining districts and pedestrian paths were even demonstrated in the Dayton Rehabilitation Project of Advanced Design Studio.  It is uncertain whether American cities may be saved from sprawl, but New Urbanism communities appear to be a step in the right direction.