New Ruralism: A Return to Our American Roots
In the wake of the worst recession since the Great Depression, Americans seem to be looking to return to a simpler way of life. They want to reconnect with food and nature. Reducing waste and expenses has become a priority. Living a little “smaller” than before is essential. Unfortunately, they are told that the only way to live responsibly is to return to a dense urban environment.
Urban planners, environmentalists and governments are pushing for more centralized urban life. His core belief is that by increasing our density in urban settings we can reduce our reliance on cars, use fewer resources, and lessen our impact on the environment. While this may suit a segment of our society, some people want a quieter rural lifestyle. The question is whether we can balance the need for space with relatively high density. One answer is New Ruralism.
The new ruralism is loosely defined as development that balances the need to minimize overall land use for housing and maximize land use for green space or sustainable agriculture. Other elements of the New Ruralism are reconnecting with our neighbors, learning to respect our food by understanding how we raise it, and reconnecting with the great outdoors. A large part of what it once meant to be an American was a sense of independence based on self-sufficiency offset by the ability to enlist the help of a neighbor. In modern America we have lost much of what defined us to our ancestors.
A central element of the New Ruralism concept is high-density housing. At first that seems to contradict the rural idea of the New Ruralism, but it results in more green spaces. There are several examples to draw on for the New Ruralism framework. An excellent example that has stood the test of time is the Israeli moshav. Unlike the Israeli kibbutz, where the land is collectively owned, the moshav has private land for agriculture as well as land for private homes. The houses are spread out on relatively small lots, while most of the land is left for agriculture. The proximity of the houses lends itself to a closer community that brings neighbors to interact with each other. Unlike urban settings, the overall feel is pastoral and relaxing. Interestingly, there have been some attempts in the US to lure city dwellers to the countryside to farm. Unfortunately, they take over large tracts of land and leave many feeling as isolated as they were in the city.
High-density housing lends itself to larger open spaces that can be used for agriculture or left as green space or a combination of both. The farming piece can come in many forms. A communal garden can be planted and worked collectively. Alternatively, individual owners could lease plots for their own gardens. With large enough spaces, business operations can be used to supply an on-site restaurant. In Georgia, the Serenby development has a 25-acre farm that supplies vegetables to a restaurant and on-site bed and breakfasts. Other developments such as Montaluce use vineyards grown on site to supply wine grapes. Some attempts to include agriculture have simply been tailored to the rich and are not really an attempt to bring people closer to their food.
In New Ruralism, homeowners become more connected to their food. With a global market, we can buy fruits and vegetables outside of local seasons. Processed foods further disconnect us from the plants and animals we eat. Our children have no idea where the food they eat comes from or how it is raised. By enticing homeowners to participate in growing fruits and vegetables or raising livestock, the New Ruralism gives them a new respect for the food they eat.
Along with a renewed respect for food, the owners are drawn to nature. We’ve gotten so lost in television, the Internet, and other forms of indoor entertainment that we’ve forgotten the beauty of our surroundings. The same open space that is used for agriculture can also be used for green space. Trail and park systems can help homeowners relax and improve their health.
There are certainly limitations to New Ruralism, but it is a valid concept that provides people with an alternative to urban life. We are constantly being told that suburban sprawl is fundamentally wrong and that we must return to the cities. Infill is a development priority. There is something American about being contrary. The New Ruralism is a great expression of our fundamental quest for freedom.