The Mismatch Between Modern Development and the Human Experience

In the United States, contemporary development has strayed from the human experience in several ways. Most developments are designed around the experience of drivers, not accommodating to human beings as children or the elderly. They do not foster the sort of human interactions that contribute to community development. Life is replaced by vacuous, uninspired places where community space isn't owned by the members of the community, and people do not feel a sense of connection to the places they live.

How Urban, Suburban, and Rural Communities Can Change Development Policy

To steer away from this trend and back toward anthro-centric community development, urban, suburban, and rural communities can change development policy in the following ways:

1. Prioritize People Over Cars: Design developments that prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit. This means creating walkable neighborhoods with sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transportation options. It also means reducing the number of parking spaces and making it more difficult to drive in certain areas.

2. Create Community Spaces: Develop spaces where people can gather and interact. This could include parks, plazas, community centers, and libraries. These spaces should be designed to be welcoming and inclusive to people of all ages and abilities.

3. Promote Mixed-Use Development: Encourage the development of mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and office space. This will help to create more vibrant and walkable communities.

4. Support Local Businesses: Support local businesses that are owned and operated by members of the community. These businesses help to create a sense of place and belonging.

5. Invest in Public Art: Invest in public art that reflects the unique character of the community. Public art can help to create a sense of place and make communities more attractive and inviting.

6. Engage the Community in the Development Process: Engage the community in the development process by holding public meetings and workshops. This will help to ensure that new developments meet the needs of the community.

By making these changes, urban, suburban, and rural communities can create developments that are more human-centric and that foster a sense of community.

Conclusion

Contemporary development in the United States has diverged from the human experience. Most developments are designed around the experience of drivers and are not accommodating to human beings as children or the elderly. They do not foster the sort of human interactions that contribute to community development. Life is replaced by vacuous, uninspired places where community space isn't owned by the members of the community, and people do not feel a sense of connection to the places they live.

To steer away from this trend and back toward anthro-centric community development, urban, suburban, and rural communities can change development policy in the ways outlined above. By making these changes, communities can create developments that are more human-centric and that foster a sense of community.

Recommendations for Urban Communities

• Reduce the number of parking spaces in new developments.
• Increase the density of development in urban areas.
• Invest in public transportation.
• Create more public spaces, such as parks and plazas.

Recommendations for Suburban Communities

• Develop mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and office space.
• Create more walkable neighborhoods with sidewalks and bike lanes.
• Support local businesses.

Recommendations for Rural Communities

• Preserve open space and farmland.
• Develop small-scale, mixed-use developments in rural towns and villages.
• Support local farmers and businesses.

By implementing these recommendations, urban, suburban, and rural communities can create developments that are more human-centric and that foster a sense of community.