Recently we watched a video in Dr. Peterson's class about Seaside, Florida. It is a unique master-planned community based on New Urbanism concepts. Seaside exists on 80-acres of Florida's Gulf Coast. It has become an example of New Urbanist development throughout the planning and architecture disciplines called the poster child of New Urbanism by some. Features include walkability, sustainable development practices, anti-sprawl disposition, compactness, landscape designed as multi-use (ex. amphitheater/retention-pond).
When I think about Seaside, I think of old-school, traditional, comfortable, and simple living. Many features are desirable such as the walkability and access to commercial and entertainment, but the community still lacks the density and diversity that I would like out of a big city. But that's my taste. To each their own!
The real point of this blog is, interestingly enough, as we were watching the clip in Peterson's class, it dawned on me that this community was very similar to what I remember from the 1998 movie the Truman Show starring Jim Carrey. I checked it out, and sure enough it was the same community used as the setting! The director is said to have desired a location that would create a dreamlike quality in a real life place. The movie definitely portrays the community as simple and traditional as previously stated, but it would be interesting to experience the ambiance first hand to see if the portrayal is actually the perceived vibe received in a 'real-life'.
No comments:
Post a Comment