Is this happening because people demand the largest possible house and could care less about a yard? Or is it because developers are trying to maximize their profits? They can’t place a large markup on land.
From a sustainability standpoint, higher population density is a good thing but a lot of these new housing developments are popping up on formerly agricultural land…driving any means of local food production farther away from city centers. If you are lucky enough to have a yard large enough to plant a vegetable garden it could help offset some of those food miles. A better idea would be to start a community garden (if your neighborhood has enough common land that could be converted or if any adjacent land is available to rent or purchase). Community gardens are generally found in urban areas and provide access to fresh produce as well as access to satisfying labor, neighborhood improvement, sense of community and connection to the environment.
From my observations of suburbia over the last 25 years most people like to keep to themselves and a larger sense of community is sorely needed. I have lived in my current community for 2 ½ years and have met very few people. It is not like I haven’t tried…I walk my dogs every day around our “lake” (glorified retention pond) in the middle of the community. I am already brainstorming ideas to improve the neighborhood and a community garden ranks right up at the top (right there with a dog park).
Wikipedia - Community garden
American Community Garden Association
Photo credit: scol22
2 comments:
Mike: Add park benches to common areas. Add a park bench to your front lawn. Start using a push reel lawn mower on your frotn lawn at a time of day when lots offolks are driving or walking or jogging. Add a raised bed garden around your mailbox. These are easy things you can do this weekend that I guarantee will make a noticeable difference right away in neighbor interaction!
Pattie,
Thanks for the input. There are already a few park benches in the common areas. It is a townhome community so we don't get the choice to mow our own lawns and we don't have mailboxes at our homes. But these are things that I plan on doing at my next house.
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