Bonita Bay Featured as ULI Case Study

The anthology of case studies showcases 26 communities that are models of planning and development, pulled from around the world.

The Washington, D.C.-based ULI is a nonpartisan research and educational institute that provides responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment.

"The case studies in this book represent a wide range of development approaches, including traditional neighborhoods, sustainable development and providing open space," according to editor Jo Allen Gause. "We chose 19 established contemporary communities that have been marketing successes, plus seven communities that are in the planning or early development phases."

Bonita Bay is one of two Florida communities that appear on the list of contemporary communities. Eleven states plus Australia, Germany, China, Canada and the United Kingdom are represented in the book. "The projects chosen for the anthology reflect some of the best examples of innovation in the design and development of master-planned communities," said Gause.

Each case study is presented with subheads identifying several of the outstanding features that serve as models for the development community to emulate. Bonita Bay is noted for its environmentally sensitive design that established preservation, ecosystem restoration and development in concert with nature as the foundation of the master plan. The ULI noted Bonita Bay's "visual harmony," with reference to the development of 55 neighborhoods situated to make best use of views, architectural themes and the intimate neighborhood designs that contribute to the community's abundant open spaces.

The Bonita Bay Group's approach to sustainable development in Bonita Bay also is recognized. Sustainable development is defined as meeting today's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.

"Since the founding of our company, sustainable development has been a fundamental commitment," said Dennis Gilkey, president and chief executive officer of The Bonita Bay Group. "In the past few years, the term has gained widespread recognition of its importance in responsible land use and planning. Bonita Bay's inclusion in Great Planned Communities and the emphasis on sustainable development is particularly noteworthy, because Bonita Bay was master planned more than a decade before the concept of smart growth was formalized." Planning for Bonita Bay began in 1979 under the direction of David Shakarian, founder of The Bonita Bay Group.

"Communities that stand the test of time have flexible master plans that are sensitive to their environment and responsive to the lifestyles of their residents," Gause added.