On An Island, Surrounded By Privatopias

Self-contained subdivisions in Northern Virginia, while advertising a "sense of community," are excluding their rural neighbors, who feel they are no longer welcome in their own towns.

1 minute read

May 2, 2005, 6:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

Residents of rapidly suburbanizing rural towns in Northern Virginia have suddenly become foreigners in their own land as new, self-contained developments take over the landscape. These so-called "privatopias" are distorting the traditional sense of "community" by creating a parallel set of "private" amenities - parks, swimming pools, etc. - that are otherwise maintained by municipal authorities. Unfortunately, the neighbors of these new subdivisions find they're rarely welcome to take part in community life.

Thanks to Daniel Reed

FULL STORY: Subdivisions Impose Social Divide

Sunday, May 1, 2005 in The Washington Post

Social / Demographics Virginia

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