Evolution of the
American Dream:
Sustainable Neighborhoods
and Heaven on Earth
Brian Skeele

Living by the Golden Rule and being our brother’s keeper aren’t just nice ideas; they’re pragmatic ways of taking care of ourselves. After the dust settled from 9/11, we realized our security is based on how the rest of the world feels they are doing. Suddenly, we are not an “island,” and injustice and suppression in Saudi Arabia, and extreme poverty in 3rd World nations breed desperate, deep resentment.

What if changing the way we live in our neighborhoods not only contributed to reversing global
warming but also impacted the planet’s nations in a way that created good will for all? It might look like this…

“Sustainable is where Heaven and Earth collide”

Neighbors meet on a Saturday morning at a Designing Sustainable Neighborhoods workshop, and watch a PowerPoint presentation on what else they can do “besides sprawl”; best practices gathered from around the planet. The participants’ imaginations begin to fill with the possibilities; from mixed use, mixed
income neighborhoods and profit sharing, to cooperating around shared facilities and needs being met in

creative and exciting ways. And it’s not all talk; they’re out of their seats laughing and playing fun group problem-solving games. Over lunch, the big fun begins. Teams of four to six, armed with colorful markers, gather around large sheets of paper, and start sharing their ideas on sustainable redesigns of specific parts of town.

Neighbors are going for a better life; pedestrian friendly, walkable, prosperous, wholesome, connected, fun places to live; a more affordable, lower consumptive lifestyle based in local renewable energy and local food production. They see how, through cooperation, they can have a life where there’s more time and less commuting. They can grow old, stay active and included in the neighborhood if it’s redesigned to support “aging-in-place.” The neighborhood they’re envisioning is more like the one they remember growing up, where kids rode their bicycles everywhere and nature was nearby. The new and improved American Dream is emerging.

Freedom and Democracy in Action

Every neighbor’s contribution adds to the greater good. What’s surprising is that the gift of each contribution makes the life of each neighborhood greater than the sum of its parts. It is a celebration of human ingenuity, talent, and love. Working together redesigning their neighborhood to be sustainable, participants get the actual experience of freedom and democracy in action and see a prosperous future designed with their needs in mind.

It can feel risky, sharing from the heart; putting ones needs and dreams out there, and yet the deep respect and dynamic results of the group wisdom are exhilarating. Working moms dare to ask for help and dream of a nature-filled courtyard surrounded by affordable