A longtime colony for independent spirits in the California desert, Slab City may soon face mass eviction. A potential response by the community has its denizens divided.
Portrayed in Sean Penn's 2007 movie "Into the Wild," the anarchic desert haven called Slab City has harbored self-exiles for decades. Technically, these people are squatters. Erik Eckholm writes, "Yet it is not truly off the grid: Cellular service is decent, many residents have laptops, and everyone drives into nearby Niland or other towns for propane gas, generator fuel and water. Those with Social Security or pensions live well; those without scrounge for odd jobs and are sometimes arrested collecting scrap metal from the nearby Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range."
Whether they're there to retire, hit rock bottom, or pursue their personal utopia, a desire to be left in peace unites the residents. But that might not last: "After the notion spread that the California State Land Commission might sell the land, the Slabbers started debating what to do: should they try to buy the place that they occupy illegally? Should they form a residents' association to save the anarchistic soul of Slab City, or would that spawn the type of bureaucracy that people came here to escape?"
The commission says Slab City is safe for now, but the announcement has bred tension and politicking where it was supposed to be all good.
FULL STORY: Talk of a Sale Fills a Hippie Haven With Bad Vibes
Luxury Hotel Turns Squatter Settlement
Between 2,000 and 3,000 people have taken over the Grande Hotel in Beira, Mozambique, and turned it into a small community of squatters.
How Squatters Will Help Shape the Future
In this piece, Stewart Brand argues that squatter cities will grow greatly over the next few decades, and the world will be better because of it.
States Move to Limit ‘Squatters’ Rights’
A wave of new legislation targets people who reside illegally in properties they don’t own.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service