EN240 Lecture 1: NEUMAN UTOPIA, DYSTOPIA, DIASPORA SUMMARY
Document Summary
The vision of a utopia has assumed the status of myth. As myths, utopias have dominated planning and design discourse. As fact, they have been real and measurable. His essay addresses the misrepresentation by some members of the planning community of the meaning of these utopias in the contemporary debate about development. In the past, determinants of developmental success have measured growth. Scientists have used a broad-range method that encompasses all aspects of a community or ecosystem. Functional integrity is a community-wide measure often used by scientists. Once this capacity is reached, the impacts of additional growth or activities harm the integrity of the place to function healthily. Authors of "ideal urban form" conclude that sprawl is less expensive and more desirable than non sprawl. Authors also agree that there is no consensus on the definitions of urban sprawl. Audirac et al. believe municipalities do want sprawl.
