Agrihoods, neighborhoods that incorporate food production into their design, have been getting more attention in the residential development world. In many cases, these projects are conventional sprawl with a tiny community garden or orchard. Whereas, in their truest form, agrihoods weave food production into the design and experiential fabric of their communities in much more meaningful ways. This essay is an exploration of four true agrihoods.
Village Homes
Village Homes, on the west side of Davis, California, was one of the first green real estate projects in the US. Developed in the mid 1970s by Michael Corbett, a former architecture student, and his then wife, Judy Corbett, a community activist. Village Homes consists of ~230 homes on 70 acres and is modeled on the New Deal Era plan of Radburn, NJ. The houses are clustered in groups of seven along a network of pedestrian paths that are like fingers interlaced with east–west oriented roads. All of the houses are solar heated, using a variety of technologies and architectural styles.
The neighborhood was one of the first to use bio-swales and infiltration basins for storm water. While these are best management strategies today, the Corbetts had to battle to get them approved in the 1970s. This approach to storm water increases the available groundwater which supports the landscaping strategy. Village Homes has an edible landscape with fruit and net–producing trees and shrubs along the pedestrian paths. In the mornings, residents grab bowls to gather fruit for breakfast.
