Joel Garreau Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669

Summary

Extent:
33.5 linear feet (65 boxes)
Creator:
Joel Garreau,
Abstract:
This collection contains research materials for Garreau's books, "Edge City" (1992) and "The Nine Nations of North America" (1981). Materials include newspapers, magazine clippings, contact information, government publications, book excerpts, tapes, annual reports, advertisements, newsletters, essays, interview transcripts, notes, project proposals, pamphlets, fliers, brochures, and other documents.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains research materials and other documents pertaining to Garreau's books, "Edge City" (1992) and "The Nine Nations of North America" (1981). Materials include newspapers, magazine clippings, contact information, government publications, book excerpts, tapes, annual reports, advertisements, newsletters, essays, interview transcripts, notes, project proposals, pamphlets, fliers, brochures, and other documents.

The total volume of the collection is 33.5 linear feet, consisting of 64 document boxes and 1 oversize box. The collection is arranged into 2 series. Series 1 consists of the materials dealing with Garreau's book "Edge City", published in 1992. It contains general "Edge City" files and 11 subsections. The general files cover development in the suburban regions of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area; planned communities; edge cities around the world; the location of corporate headquarters; the impact of edge cities on the environment; the economics of urban and suburban development; urban design; real estate development; the availability and use of natural resources; the construction of shopping malls; and housing. Subseries 1.1 deals with Shadow Governments, which are private organizations governing bodies that influence their employees and where they live and work. Subseries 1.2 contains material about the life and work of Til Hazel, a prominent Northern Virginia land developer. Subseries 1.3 deals with land preservation and how land development threatened the environment and historical sites. Subseries 1.4 contains the historical resources used. Subseries 1.5 deals with race and poverty and the effects of development on the poorer regions of both urban and rural areas. Subseries 1.6 covers the transportation and infrastructure issues that arise during the development of edge cities. Subseries 1.7 contains numbers and statistics and the results of various studies many of which focus on office space markets and real estate. Subseries 1.8 contains book excerpts and articles that provide further information about issues in "Edge City". Subseries 1.9 contains transcripts of interviews conducted by Joel Garreau while researching material for "Edge City". Subseries 1.10 is a number of maps. Subseries 1.11 is miscellaneous materials that did not fit in any of the other categories. Series 2 consists of the materials dealing with Garreau's book "The Nine Nations of North America", published in 1981. The general files in series 2 covers regionalism; energy production; religion; journalism; water management; and economics. The first 10 subseries correspond with the first ten chapters of "The Nine Nations": New England, The Foundry, Dixie, Aberrations, The Breadbasket, The Islands, MexAmerica, Ecotopia, The Empty Quarter, and Quebec. Subseries 2.11 deals with the proposed television series based on "The Nine Nations". Series 2.12 is miscellaneous materials that did not fit in any of the other categories.

The collection is especially valuable for its material on the history and development of Northern Virginia. Garreau's chronicling of the growth of Fairfax County and the development of the Tysons Corner area is important for its depth and also for the time in which it was compiled. The "Edge City" material contains extensive files about John "Til" Hazel, a Northern Virginia land developer.

Biographical / historical:

Joel Garreau is an American journalist and author. Currently he works as the editor in charge of "cultural revolution" reporting at The Washington Post, as senior fellow at the School of Public Policy at George Mason University, and principal of The Garreau Group, which is "dedicated to the creation of more liveable and profitable urban areas worldwide." He also writes for Wired magazine.

Garreau's work is often compared to that of Jane Jacobs or Ronald J. Oakerson for its focus on urban quality of life and autonomy of urban regions from suburbs and surrounding agricultural areas. His books include, "The Nine Nations of North America" (1981), "Edge City" (1992), and "Radical Evolution: The Promise and Peril of Enhancing Our Minds, Our Bodies -- and What It Means to Be Human" (2005).

Acquisition information:
Collection donated by Joel Garreau in 1997-1999.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by subject.

  • Series 1: Edge City, 1959-February 1994 (Boxes 1-52, 65)
  • Series 2: The Nine Nations of North America, November 1954-February 1987 (Boxes 52-64)