Desert Landscapes and Cultural Perceptions

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Questions and Answers

What is the environmentalist's accusation against the owners and developers of Spur Cross Ranch?

They are not creating jobs for the local community.

They are not investing enough in infrastructure.

They are not doing enough to preserve the environment.

They are lining their own pockets at the expense of the environment. (correct)

What is the primary characteristic of the homes in Cave Creek, Arizona?

They have non-native flora and fauna

They are densely populated

They are modern and luxurious

They are unassuming and blend with the natural environment (correct)

What is the author's attitude towards the development of the land in Cave Creek?

The author is neutral towards the development of the land

The author supports low-density development to preserve the natural environment (correct)

The author is in favor of dense development

The author is against any development of the land

What is the primary difference between Cave Creek and Phoenix?

Cave Creek is a rural town, while Phoenix is a metropolitan city Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's tone in the passage when describing the desert?

Awe-inspired and sublime Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's attitude towards the introduction of non-native flora and fauna in Cave Creek?

The author supports the avoidance of non-native species to preserve the natural environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Valley of the Sun' in the passage?

It is a nickname for Phoenix Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone of the passage when describing Cave Creek and Phoenix?

Contrasting and comparative towards both towns Signup and view all the answers

What is the description of Phoenix by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce?

A sprawling metropolitan desert area Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate of housing development in Phoenix in 1996?

One acre every hour Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of typical Phoenix homes?

Small, well-manicured front lawns with flowers and cacti Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the American flags in Phoenix developments?

They indicate the model home in each development Signup and view all the answers

What was the driving factor for development in Phoenix in the 1990s?

The availability of cheap land farther away from the city limits Signup and view all the answers

What was proposed to be built north of Cave Creek?

A master-planned community Signup and view all the answers

What features were planned to be included in the Spur Cross Ranch development?

A 100-room resort hotel, 656 homes, and an 18-hole golf course Signup and view all the answers

What is the description of Spur Cross Ranch by the author?

A place of incomprehensible beauty Signup and view all the answers

What inspired the sociologist to design a study on perceptions of land and development?

Reading materials that presented a contrasting view of nature and land Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary reason for selecting the Cave Creek community and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for the study?

They were experiencing rapid development Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of environmental factors influences building designs?

Limited water supplies Signup and view all the answers

Why do people value nature, according to Rachel and Stephen Kaplan?

In itself, beyond utilitarian purposes Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of how people value nature, according to Rachel and Stephen Kaplan?

Spending money on natural settings and landscaping Signup and view all the answers

What does the sociologist's study aim to articulate?

A range of community members' ideas about sprawl, land, and development Signup and view all the answers

Why did the sociologist move to Arizona for the study?

To examine perceptions of land and development in a desert environment Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that influences how we design our buildings and communities?

Environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why wilderness is sold according to the passage?

Its beauty Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of developing green building structures, according to the passage?

To satisfy ethical and psychological needs Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the book, according to the passage?

The cultural forces that shape our behavior and choices Signup and view all the answers

What does the author mean by 'cultural forces' in the context of suburban sprawl?

The social norms that influence our choices Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept referred to in the passage as 'a collection of stories we tell ourselves about ourselves'?

Culture Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's approach to understanding suburban sprawl?

Examining cultural texts Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's goal in examining the cultural forces of suburban sprawl?

To understand the underlying values and perceptions that shape our choices Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the author's approach to understanding suburban sprawl?

That our values and perceptions shape our behavior and choices Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cultural Perceptions and Suburban Sprawl

The desert landscape in Arizona is described as "sublime" and devoid of human meaning, with its natural beauty and harsh conditions.
Cave Creek, a small rural town in Arizona, has a strong connection to the natural environment, with residents avoiding "scraping" the land and preserving native flora.

Contrast between Cave Creek and Phoenix

Phoenix, a large metropolitan city 15 miles south of Cave Creek, is a symbol of modern American development, with a sprawling metropolis and glass skyscrapers.
The city has reinvented the concept of "desert" to create an area of prosperity and endless possibility.

Development and Growth in Phoenix

In the 1990s, Phoenix was growing rapidly, with new developments forming at the rate of one acre per hour, converting Sonoran Desert into housing developments.
The typical Phoenix development features identical homes with small, well-manicured front lawns, and rocks arranged to resemble the desert.

The Proposed Development in Spur Cross Ranch

A developer proposed to build a master-planned community on 2,154 acres of Spur Cross Ranch, featuring a 100-room resort hotel, 656 homes, and an 18-hole golf course.
The development plan stirred controversy among environmental activists, who accused the owners and developers of prioritizing profit over the protection of primeval saguaro forests and endangered species.

The Study of Perceptions of Land and Development

The author, a sociologist, conducted a study to examine perceptions of the land and development in Arizona, focusing on the communities of Cave Creek and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
The study aimed to explore how people living in once-rural areas experience dramatic changes in land use and development.

Environmental Factors and Building Design

Environmental factors influence building designs, materials, and approaches to soil erosion, with desert environments requiring unique considerations.
Aesthetic desires also play a role in building patterns, with people valuing nature for its own sake and spending money on natural settings and landscaping.

Cultural Forces of Suburban Sprawl

The book focuses on the collective perceptions that shape our behavior and choices, particularly the cultural forces driving suburban sprawl.
The concept of culture is defined as the collection of stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, and examining these stories can reveal underlying values and meanings.
The approach of looking at social phenomena as a "cultural text" raises questions about what suburban sprawl communicates about our values and what we prioritize.

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Description

Explore the intersection of cultural perceptions, theology, and classical philosophy in the context of desert landscapes. This quiz delves into the themes of myth, reality, and the human experience.