Reframing the American dream

Abstract

The American Dream of home ownership - a detached single family house with a yard and car - has become deeply ingrained in the American psyche and culture. It has historically dictated suburban development patterns. This suburban development style causes many of the environmental, social and health problems plaguing American society today. An increasing number of Americans desire to live in walkable, diverse and environmentally responsible communities. Nevertheless, the entrenched ideology of the dream, and the powerful business and governmental interests that support it through marketing and political policies, prevent meaningful changes to existing development practices - preventing new development models to take root. This thesis will propose and outline the creation of a collaborative organization bringing together Architects and Urban Planners, under the leadership of Landscape Architects. This coalition can reframe the American Dream, by challenging business and political interests opposing a new American residential landscape.