Zachary S. Allen

Roseland: A Field Guide to New Urbanism

This project began in 2008 and is an ongoing archive of photographs and field observations of the construction of a new suburban community outside Richmond Virginia.

This development intends to show the future in designing sustainable communities through a system of strict design principles and policies guided by the charter of new urbanism. The need for sustainable building has become prevalent with the decline in natural resources and woes over global warming. New urbanism has created guidelines to make healthier choices when building residential communities and this suburb, by following the new urbanism standards, attempts to become a model for future growth. The construction will change the existing forested landscape over the next 20 years, taking away one of the last undeveloped regions in the county, building new houses and attracting more people. The change is inevitable, and this photography project brings forth the question: If development is unavoidable than what method of growth is the most beneficial for the landscape? Photographing the construction from beginning to end will provide a document to examine this transformation and its impact on the landscape.

*Project Update: As of 2011 Roseland has filed for chapter 11 Bankruptcy and declared the project “is on hold.”