Dwell Magazine and Inhabitat have partnered on a competition — ReBurbia, which is focused on developing new ideas on suburbia. The ReBurbia competition web site writes: “According to the U.S. Census, about 90% of all metropolitan growth occurred in suburban communities in the last ten years. Urbanites who loathe the freeways, big box stores and bland aesthetics stereotypical of suburbia may secretly root for the end of sprawl, but demographic trends indicate that exurban growth is still on the rise. In a future where limited natural resources will force us to find better solutions for density and efficiency, what will become of the cul-de-sacs, cookie-cutter tract houses and generic strip malls that have long upheld the diffuse infrastructure of suburbia? How can we redirect these existing spaces to promote sustainability, walkability, and community?”
To guide potential proposals, Dwell and Inhabitat pose the questions: “What would a McMansion become if it weren’t a single-family dwelling? How could a vacant big box store be retrofitted to provide for local agriculture? What sort of design solutions can you come up with to facilitate car-free mobility, ‘burb-grown food, and local, renewable energy generation? How would you design future-proof spaces and systems using the suburban structures of the present, from small-scale retrofits to large-scale restoration?”
Of the top twenty finalists, one grand prize winner will be chosen by judges to receive USD 1,000. The grand prize winner will be featured on Inhabitat.com, Dwell.com and in the December issue of Dwell Magazine. 2 runners up and a “Reader’s Choice” winner will also be selected, based on the popular vote online. The 2nd prize winner, 3rd prize winner, and “Reader’s Choice” winner will all also be featured in the December issue of Dwell.
Image credit: ReBurbia
