Individualocracy – The Personal Decisions that Govern Sprawl

Urban sprawl has been blamed for all kinds of social, economic, and environmental problems, such as high level of poor air-quality, low physical fitness, social isolation, heat-island effects, and urban decay. Despite these widespread concerns, many people choose to live in sprawl. The project is called ‘Individualocracy’ based on the idea that individuals can control their environment through personal choices such as where to dine, shop, live, and be entertained. The artist conducted over a hundred interviews with people from the metropolitan Phoenix area to uncover the lack of connection some residents have to the city as a place - environmentally, socially, and culturally - when they live in the gigantic 'middle' zones far from central areas and the exterior fringe.