Sunshine Towns

This is an examination of the New Urbanism movement that started in Florida with the development of Seaside, FL (by Robert Davis). That plan led to the development of several New Urbanism towns including Celebration (by the Walt Disney Company), Abacoa (by the MacArthur Foundation), Harmony (by James and Martha Lentz), and Windsor (by Galen and Hilary Weston). It looks at the massive 300,000 acres development by Deseret Ranch and Citrus Company (owned by the Church of the Latter Day Saints) that could include as many as ten New Urbanism towns, the first of which, Sunbridge, is under construction. It also examines the evolution of New Urbanism in what is called New Urbanism Hybrids that include several developments based on new technologies, redevelopment of older areas, and even a religious town created by the founder of Domino's Pizza. This concept is the most interesting architecture and planning concept in recent history, and while Florida is the showcase, New Urbanism towns are built and under construction all over the country and even internationally.

The author is a well-known educator and planner who has written extensively about architecture and city planning in his 13 books and 90 professional and academic articles. He has practiced planning as a consultant, and was involved in several of the developments discussed in this book. He believes that New Urbanism offers a family-centered, small town approach that ius an alternative to urban sprawl. He sees it as a lifestyle choice over central city and suburban environments. He believes it is the most interesting planning and architecture concept in recent years.

Anthony James Catanese, Ph.D., FAICP, is an educator and planner. He received the Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the former Dean of the College of Architecture at the University of Florida; Dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Provost of the Pratt Institute; President of Florida Atlantic University; and President of the Florida Institute of Technology. He has been a planning consultant, and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has authored 13 books and 90 refereed articles.