ABSTRACT
The relationship between architecture and utopianism is rich and complex. Architecture shapes the spaces in which we experience life. It can manipulate our senses, frame our relationships, and guide our social interactions. Utopianism reflects our dreams and fears about the future and architecture is often driven by utopian desires for a better society. In this chapter I explore architecture that expresses a vision of a green future, architecture that seeks to shape inclusive social and political practices, value the natural environment, and practice the ideal of nonexploitative longevity. My discussion focuses on just two cases, both of which seek to produce communities that are environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable. These are the New Urbanism and cohousing movements. I will suggest that they are both utopian but that they exhibit subtly different kinds of utopian impulse. As a political theorist, I am especially interested in exploring questions of power and authorship, influence, distribution of goods and resources, and decision making. I probe these concerns by asking, “Whose utopia is this?”
