Paper Abstract

This paper will address the rising problem in American society of isolation and withdrawal from those individuals who share our streets, sidewalks, fences and even walls - in short, our neighbors. Growing out of the latter-half of the 20th century (and into the 21st century), this phenomenon has been coined "Crowded Loneliness" by environmental and behavioral psychologists, and focuses on the apparent rapid erosion of relationships-by-proximity. Exploring the possible causes of this phenomenon is critical to understanding that, first, it is a problem for society and that, second, it is a problem that can be solved. Theories for the problem range from architectural, to socio-political and even technological. This paper will approach the analysis and resolution of the problem from an architectural standpoint, to investigate how residential design and planning effectively facilitate relationship-building or encourage isolation. Beyond that, individuals, collectively, will have to decide to rebuild the relationships that have been lost, or to sink further into the crowded pool of anonymity.

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