Postmodern Utopias

Postmodern Utopias

"A late twentieth century style and concept in architecture that represents a departure from modernism and it has a heart of general distrust of grand theories and ideologies as well as a problematical relationship with any notion of art," this is the Webster's definition of the word, postmodern. Then we have a utopia, which is "an imaginary place or state of things in which everything is perfect." Utopia is also, a definition by Webster. The idea of a postmodern utopia is as follows, "Postmodern forms, at once more pragmatic, multiauthored, and more responsive to green and social concerns" (Freestone, 2000). The era of the postmodern utopia started in the early 1990's and continues to progress onward today. With so much of society focused upon the ecology of the environment, as well as a few other factors of the growing new urban world, architects' long range thinking began to change within the layouts of their buildings along with the layout of the new city developments. The modern utopias were looked at as being "shallow and uncritical" and "sci-fi templates" (Freestone, 2000) by the growing society. Not only that, but the buildings were not designed with the thought of energy and postindustrial development in mind. So as large cities began to age and morph, these utopian buildings were failing the tests of time and human occupation, which direly needed to be passed in order to commence into the future.

These spaces and places were becoming, dystopias, a word coined by C.A. Doxiadis. With the growing cities and suburban areas and the birth of new thoughts, utopias of all means began to transform. From machined cutouts and geodesic domes in the 1940's to green homes and workstations of present date, the postmodern utopian era was birthed by a handful of architects. These masterminds began to shift, shape, and mold the built environment, as we know it. From their minds, three different platforms of utopias were developed. The ecopolis, which was brought forth by Richard Register, was founded on the ideology of environmentalism. Following was the cosmopolis, which was conceived by Leonie Sandercock and was brought to life on the basis of multiculturalism. Rounding it all out is the traditionalopolis, which was birthed by two architects, Andreas Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. Their conviction of the utopia was uprooted from the neo-traditional design and implemented many vernacular and historical styles.

Table 1.1: Examples of the three different types of postmodern utopian designs. From left to right as follows, Cosmopolis (Los Angeles, CA), Ecopolis (Riverside, CA), and a Traditionapolis (Rancho Cucamonga, CA).

If you refer to Table 1.1, you will be able to attain an idea of the environments that are brought forth by these utopian intellects. Not only were these environments built in order to move society forward from the dystopian era, but to create a new sense of environment, which is translated to all walks of life and enjoyed by all. Utopias are more than an era or style of architectural design, but a lifestyle to many even if they are not consciously aware of what is around them. But, their subconscious minds are cognitive to the surroundings that are deposited in postmodern utopias. To further this let's begin with the traditionalopolis, brought forth to us by Plater-Zyberk and Duany.

The traditionalopolis is commonly founded in the suburban areas around cities. Very seldom do you find a traditionalopolis in a rural setting. Along the outskirts of a major and sometimes even the minor cities do you find this type of utopian layout. An excellent example of this design scheme would be the city of San Luis Obispo in California. It is a medium sized city that incorporates a mixed development of residential, commercial, and very little industrial elements. Walking through the downtown area tends to be more efficient than a car and the town is very lively with plazas and people about. Multileveled plazas along with a multifaceted transportation system produced this jewel of little cities. This particular type of utopia uses the surrounding vernacular style which creates an even flowing feeling, as well as not letting the city expand too much out of proportion to take away from the "small, hometown" feeling. Along with those characteristics this genre of the built environment creates many harmonies brought forth from the visual aspect and cognitive backgrounds of the local people and the other surrounding areas. These types of utopian establishments seem to receive a larger portion of the population than their counterparts, the ecopolis.

The ecopolis' main concern is upon the environment. Green buildings and workspaces are the aesthetic attribute for this eco responsive utopia. Although, all of the utopias have eco issues in mind, this utopia is devoted to its principle. Not only does the ecopolis use the thought of environment in the design and lay out of its building and communities, but also in all the local workings of civic issues, technology, and justice in order to attain the desired goal and well being of the community. Another major factor in an ecopolis is that its "concept is multifaceted, linking ecological principles with social justice, appropriate technology, community economic development and other movements working towards sustainable livelihoods" (Roseland, 1997). Along with being in the physical "green" state in the architectural world, it is also harmonious within the psyche. Many of the theories and principles developed behind the ecopolis seemed to be derived from the Chinese's art of Feng Shui, which is not a decorating style, but the placement and the arrangement of space in order to achieve harmony with