Serenbe, a biophilic community located just outside of Atlanta, has been selected as the "World's Greatest Biophilic Community" by the national television series World's Greatest! The recognition, announced by the series that goes behind the scenes to spotlight noteworthy companies, organizations, and destinations, underscores the growing influence of biophilic design—an approach that seeks to connect people with nature in the built environment. For Serenbe, the designation is not merely an award but a validation of a decades-long experiment in community planning that challenges conventional development patterns.
The significance of this announcement lies in its potential to shift how developers, policymakers, and residents think about the relationship between human settlements and the natural world. By featuring Serenbe on a national platform, World's Greatest! brings mainstream attention to a model that prioritizes land preservation, walkability, and community well-being over sprawl and resource depletion. The segment, filmed on location in Chattahoochee Hills, captures daily life throughout the community—from its trails, farm, and farmers market to its architecture, restaurants, inn, and streetscapes. It also includes interviews with Serenbe Founder Steve Nygren and COO Garnie Nygren, along with residents, exploring the vision behind the community and how its design fosters connections to nature through thoughtful land planning, fresh food, wellness, the arts, and everyday opportunities to spend time outdoors.
"Serenbe was founded on the belief that development doesn't have to come at the expense of nature and that the two actually enhance one another," said Steve Nygren, Founder of Serenbe. "Being selected as the World's Greatest Biophilic Community is an exciting opportunity to share what we've learned at Serenbe and show a national audience there is a different way to think about how we build communities and live our daily lives." This perspective is increasingly relevant as cities and towns grapple with challenges such as climate change, mental health crises, and social isolation—issues that biophilic design can help mitigate by reconnecting people with natural systems and with each other.
The implications extend beyond Serenbe's 800-plus residents. As a working example, Serenbe demonstrates that biophilic principles can be applied at scale, integrating homes, businesses, farms, and cultural amenities within preserved forests and meadows. The community features miles of nature trails, more than 300 days of arts and cultural programming, multiple independent shops, a 27-room inn, a new wellness retreat, four restaurants, and a working organic farm. This mix not only supports local economies but also reduces car dependency and promotes healthier lifestyles. For other regions considering sustainable growth, Serenbe offers a replicable template—one that values preservation over exploitation and community over isolation.
The national television exposure could accelerate interest in biophilic development, encouraging more projects that prioritize green spaces, local food systems, and walkable neighborhoods. As viewers learn about Serenbe through the World's Greatest! segment, available here, the conversation may shift from whether such communities are feasible to how they can be adapted in diverse contexts. For more information about Serenbe, visit Serenbe.com.
