The Perfect Town? Well, Not Quite

I found an article on businessweek.com by David Rocks entitled, The Perfect Town? Well Not Quite. It deals with Celebration, Florida- a small, Disney-run town that is quite unique in comparison to many modern or average suburban communities that currently exist throughout North America. Here, a form of new urbanism is readily on display. The goal of this type of new urban design is to provide greater human-interaction within a friendly atmosphere. The author states that “Celebration recalls a simpler era, when neighbours had the time to stop and chat as they moved about town on foot or by bike. Celebration’s planners avoided the cul-de-sacs of modern suburbia for a layout more closely resembling grids of old. Narrow streets slow down traffic, and houses- sporting front porches, where residents are meant to while away their evenings in conversation- sit close to the sidewalk.”

Upon reading this article, and learning about Celebration in another class, my first reactions led me to believe that everyone would probably like to live in a place such as this. However, after I did some more thinking I quickly changed my mind.

This form of dwelling is something that I would enjoy only for a very limited amount of time. Celebration reminds me of something which is very fake or forced. As it turns out, I’m not the only one who feels this way. The author writes that residents of Celebration often get asked by tourists if their houses are real, and if they themselves are just actors, being paid to make the town seem authentic.

What is perhaps more interesting, and drove me further from wanting to live in Celebration, are the limitations put on its residents. Rocks explains that there are regulations that each resident/homeowner must abide by if he/she wish to continue living in Celebration. Several aspects of one’s property are controlled and mediated by the town’s council. For instance, cars can only be parked in DRIVEWAYS for a limited amount of hours per day. Trees can only be planted on certain spots on one’s property. And even window size and curtain colour are regulated.

To me, a dwelling is a place where I can feel comfortable and safe. A place where I can be myself. Although safety probably isn’t an issue in this seemingly close-knit community, I feel that having to conform to all the rules of Celebration really represses ones uniqueness. If I can’t be unique, then I can’t be myself, and in turn, my level of comfort will be severely jeopardized. Celebration is a place that seems to me to really push for uniformity. However, I feel that it is too limiting, in that it takes away from peoples freedom. A sense of community and dwelling is still attainable, and neighbourhoods and communities all across the world have survived for centuries without any restrictions placed over them. Rocks probably sums these thoughts up best, by saying that “real community spirit has to grow from within,” and I believe that forcing it upon residents doesn’t seem necessary, nor does it induce dwelling.

-Matthew Paradiso

David Rocks’ article can be found at:

http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_40/b3649063.htm