directed by Rebekah Wingert-Jabi, 69 min.

Robert Simon (1914-2015) had a vision for American life. While 1950s post-war suburban sprawl cultivated individualism and homogeneity and prioritized single-family homes, Bob Simon dreamed 'another way of living' that valued community, nature, and social equity. He set out to build a suburban town that integrated citizens across racial, economic, and religious divides. His vision was realized in the New Town of Reston, VA, in 1964.

This innovative American planner knew that the structures of our towns impact our sense of community. But idealism alone wasn't enough to keep his dream alive. Amid financial struggles, investors fired Bob just three years after the launch of Reston.

Despite early challenges, the town became an international sensation inspiring new trends in suburban development - mixing residential and commercial zones and creating open spaces and plazas to promote community. Bob's work to integrate nature into everyday living and reduce car dependency was revolutionary among his contemporaries.

After a 20-year absence, Bob returns to Reston as a community activist. He struggles to ensure the town remains true to its founding principles as it is ushered into the 21st century with rapid urbanization.

As Bob approaches his 100th birthday, will the families of Reston come together to secure the diversity and sense of community he fought so hard to preserve? Or will the rising housing costs and rapid redevelopment mark the end of Bob's legacy in Reston?

anotherwayoflivingfilm.com

Another Way of Living sold-out its premiere on Nov. 7, 2015 at the Virginia Film Festival presented by UVA, where it will now be incorporated into the school's planning/public policy curriculum. On March 24, 2016 the film sold-out its screening at the National Building Museum during the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital. 

Educational Distributor: The Video Project