Forget golf courses: Serenbe shows that farm views are just as great

It makes sense that the founders of Serenbe, a New Urbanism community situated outside of Atlanta, would create a community that adjoins an organic, community-supported farm. Steve and Marie Nygren were successful restaurateurs (Peasant) before they became developers.

They also understood how to conduct research in establishing a new kind of community that preserves 80 percent of its land in sustainable agriculture and forests. They consulted with two dozen thought leaders assembled through the Georgia Institute of Technology on how to build on the property they purchased in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, finding ways that depart from typical American sprawl. Part of what they learned is that people who live on the edges of golf courses are most often not golfers – what really matters is having a green view. My article about Serenbe's development explores how this community is coming together and expanding in its second decade.

Russ Klettke also writes about general business, law, finance and health/wellbeing topics and is the author of a book on nutrition (A Guy's Gotta Eat, the regular guy's guide to eating smart; DaCapo Press 2004). For more of his work on sustainable design read his blog or contact him directly.