2. The Transect: Guiding Principles
The Transect is a system of classification deploying the conceptual range rural-to-urban to arrange in
useful order the typical elements of urbanism.
The Transect is a useful ordering system, as every element easily finds a place within its continuum.
This gradient when rationalized and subdivided, becomes the rural-to-urban Transect, the basis of a
common zoning system.
3.
4.
5. Agrarian Urbanism
• Applies same strategies of Design and Coding
• Takes the benefits of sustainability, individual and
community health to higher level
• Potentially marketed to developers as a niche product
(eg. the new golf)
• Ensures food security
6. There are at least four significant reasons in
favor of growing food within communities
1. Health
– Physical health from the control of food sources (what food is
being consumed)
– Physical health from participating in food production (exercise)
– Social health from the integration of multiple sectors of society
on a common goal
1. Safety
- Independence or quasi-independence from oil-based food sources
3. Economy
- Potential for job creation
4. Sustainability
7. There are at least as many arguments
against growing within populated areas
1. Noise
2. Smell
3. Appearance
4. Health/safety
• Particularly in regard to unregulated meat and vegetables,
disposal of waste
1. Lack of knowledge
• Particularly in regard to live animals, integration of pest or
disease controls, or potential introduction invasive plants
8. Considerations for Agrarian Urbanism
• There are valid reasons people moved away
from producing their own food
• New layer of resource use, including potential
heavy demands on water, utilities, waste and
services. The potential to decrease the
demands on all of these systems also exists
• When not coded, agricultural zoning has the
potential to become sprawl.
• In general, larger cities are doing a better job
than small towns. In most instances, towns
would have the easier time supplementing food
supplies.
9. To have both successful agriculture and
urbanism, places must be designed and
coded to ensure both.
11. 1. Agricultural Retention
Operates at the scale of the region.
The ideal is to keep farmland in use (farmland trusts),
which can be very difficult.
An array of techniques deployed to save existing farmland.
12.
13.
14.
15. 2. Urban Agriculture
Cultivation within existing cities and suburbs.
May use underutilized or distressed space.
Usually a secondary activity for people concerned primarily
with other economic pursuits.
Urban agriculture (roof and allotment gardens) now viewed
as public good.
16.
17.
18. 3. Agricultural Urbanism
Settlements equipped with working farms.
Agriculture economically associated with community, but
not physically or socially integrated.
Few participate in the productive activities (CSA
management).
19.
20.
21. 4. Agrarian Urbanism
Settlements where entire society is involved with food in all
aspects: organizing, growing, processing, distributing,
cooking & eating.
Physical design of the settlement is integral to an
intentional agrarian society and settles people back on
the land.
Pragmatic – what will work best in long-run.
22. Agrarian
Village
Large Farms
Agricultural
Precinct
Market Structure
Community/
Allotment Gardens
Small Farms
“Toothed” Edge
Green Wedge
Existing Urbanism
Forgeable Land
25. Agrarian Urbanism Guidelines
• 1/3 land is developed, production of the
whole is tripled
• All households participate in some way
towards the growing of food, either
through monetary contributions and/or
labor
• An agricultural board and master farmer
hold significant responsibilities
31. T2 Rural T4 General Urban
T2 Rural T5 Urban Center T6 Urban Core
A. The farmyard, for agricultural operations.
B. The barn, which is also the meeting house.
C. The administrative offices and instruction rooms.
D. The processing areas, grocery store and dining hall.
E. The farmer's market.
F. Shops with dwellings above.
G. Residential buildings.
T3 Sub-Urban T5 Urban Center
46. DPZ-Charlotte, NC. DPZ-DC Metro Area DPZ-Miami, FL DPZ-Boston, MA
www.dpz.com
Garden Cities, can be purchased at www.amazon.com
The SmartCode and Modules can be downloaded at www.Transect.org
