Seeing double
I live in a subdivision of about 100 homes. Most of the streetscape involves double, front-drive garages with concrete driveways to match.
I wonder how different our subdivision could be if it was a village. What if the streets were landscaped with trees and flowers and grass and a stream? What if our driveways were welcome mats for villagers and visitors? What if every double garage was a business, or a school, or a clinic, or a gathering place, or a chapel, or an office, or a suite? What if cars entered an underground parking lot as they drove off the feeder road? What if we seldom had occasion to drive our cars? What if we knew every member of every household? What if there were no street lights? What if we could see the stars and the northern lights at night? What if every kid could participate in local sports? What if it didn’t matter much who won or lost? What if we cared about each other?
What if more than one generation lived on the lot; one or two generations in the house and one generation in the renovated garage. Would grandparents be more engaged if they were with their families instead of some wrinkle ranch with rules, regimen, and hired hands?
Would it be pleasant if we knew nothing would be stolen or vandalized if we left our homes and cars unlocked. Would it be more comfortable if we had a police figure who wandered the village whenever he or she thought something might go wrong plus be an enduring presence known to all?
I enjoyed reading Paul Born’s book entitled “Deepening Community”.
Will you wonder whether our urban designs are good for us and our souls?