What Subdivision Walls Tell Us About Our Values

A recent column cites the phenomenon of subdivision walls as an example of how Americans are neglecting and shunning the public realm.

1 minute read

June 27, 2007, 7:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera

In her recent column, Mary Newsom, an associate editor at the Charlotte Observer, writes:

"Look, I know as well as anyone that not many people are going to pay a million dollars-plus for a house on a city street carrying 33,000 vehicles a day, and that if you're a developer building a luxury subdivision along [that road] you're going to want a wall. I'd want a wall, too, if it were my house."

"Where the wall is now, you formerly saw front lawns, flowerbeds, houses, windows, front walks and front doors -- the traditional American neighborhood design that says, "Welcome." The wall sends another message: "Keep out." "

But it has a more subliminal message, too...The hidden message, what you absorb unconsciously, is that public streets and public places -- the public realm -- are best shunned, that they aren't valuable enough for the public to demand that they offer any beauty, or even just cleanliness."

FULL STORY: Wall's message says more than `Keep out'

Monday, June 25, 2007 in The Charlotte Observer

Social / Demographics Urban Development North Carolina

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