UnSprawl Case Study: Agritopia in Gilbert, Arizona

24 September 2009 - 1:00pm

Crafted with a sort of evangelical "New Ruralism," the 166-acre Agritopia neighborhood east of Phoenix mixes gardens, pastures, orchards, restaurants, lush trails, and more with historically inspired homes designed to bring neighbors together.

Located in the rapidly developing town of Gilbert, Arizona, Agritopia is the Phoenix area's first traditional neighborhood development and among the nation's first mixed-used communities to integrate working agriculture. Rather than similar principles of New Urbanism, however, the 166-acre community built on the last undeveloped portion of the Johnston family farm is based on a set of Christian foundational principles and subsequent derived principles that range from promoting a simpler life to honoring agriculture. Indeed, Agritopia could be called evangelical New Ruralism."

Source: Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments, September 21, 2009