Gated New Urbanism

Foremost on my list of developments that get me angry at the moment is this:


This is a housing development called "Aqua" in Miami Beach. It is interesting for a number of reasons. a) It was laid out by New Urbanist gurus Duany/Plater-Zyberk. b) it's the first time a new urbanist development has used modern architecture instead of neo-traditionalist. c) it's may be the first time ever in Miami beach that there have been buildings that share walls.

But who cares? First of all, it's a gated community. How can that possibly further an urban lifestyle? Second, there is NO retail, so how can it even really be called New Urbanist?

Do we really have to sell our souls in order to get stuff built?