Welcome to... Companion PowerPoint Presentation for the Introduction to Housing textbook

Housing and Community

Neighborhood Neighborhood—geographic location People living in a specific area who share common ties & interact in some way Statistical neighborhoods (census tracts or zip codes) Functional neighborhoods (residents’ perceptions)

Community Community—social interaction Network of social interaction & bonding, usually based on mutual interest Physical community development—physical planning & development Social community development—enhancing residents’ capacities, skills & resources

Theory Ecological approach Interrelationships of people with their environment Social systems Planning approach Physical development, infrastructure, & land use Services

Theory of Human Ecology Robert Park City of Chicago Early 1900s Ideas taken from plant ecology Living together to the mutual benefit of each Invasion, dominance & succession

Ernest Burgess: Invasion, dominance & succession in the city

Other theories Social contagion Collective socialization Neighborhood resource Relative deprivation

Process of Physical Community Development Planning commission Local residents Recommend planning decisions Comprehensive plan Statement of community development policies & their implementation 5-20 years Growth in population, industry & commerce Land use

Community Tools Zoning ordinances Follow the comprehensive plan Character of a neighborhood & property values Guide for future development Land use Population density Site requirements Structural dimensions

Zoning Ordinances A map showing boundaries of labeled zones Section of specific definitions of zones Articles describing (for each zone): Permitted, Conditional, or Special permit uses

Zoning Ordinances Types of zones: Residential: Commercial Industrial Single family Multi-family Transitional Commercial Industrial Agricultural

Zoning Ordinances Type of development Placement of buildings Type & number of units Building height, setback, & easements Lot density

Zoning Ordinances: Appeals Avoid hardships Not self-created Not alter the character of the neighborhood Single case Intent versus strict letter of the law

Zoning Ordinances: Appeals Use variance use of the property other than permitted Area variance Use, construction or alteration of a building Board of Zoning Appeals

Subdivision Regulations Development of land – new building Streets Streetscapes Utilities Lot sizes Open space

Covenants Subdivision developer, neighborhood association, historic preservation association Typically restricts use of property in order to maintain use and/or character Attaches to the deed or association by-laws Enforced by action of affected property owners Conveys with the sale of the property

Critics and Compromises Planned Unit Developments (PUD) Special type of ordinance to develop new land Typically allows more flexibility than standard zoning & subdivision regulations

Planned Unit Developments Typical: Large scale development Clustered housing units Common areas Mixed housing types Topographically suitable Efficient use of the land Integrated commercial/retail

Eminent Domain Right of a community to take private property for public use Property owner must be compensated Property owner has right to sue if do not believe fairly compensated.

Neighborhood Satisfaction Influenced by: Personal factors Physical factors Social factors Neighborhood segregation Safety factors

Neighborhoods Influence Households Quality of local services Socialization by adults Peer influences Social networks Exposure to crime & violence Physical distance & isolation

So what do people want in their neighborhood? An improvement over their last neighborhood An adequate level of stimulation A place to feel at “home” Housing satisfaction Neighborhood services Good neighbors Safety

Evolution Gentrification—new money invested in central city results in middle & upper class moving back into the city Gated communities—small neighborhoods enclosed with a fence & restrictive entrance Conservation communities—incorporate sustainable housing & neighborhood design

New urbanism—neighborhoods that have a well-defined edge & a focused center Traditional neighborhood development—using grid pattern, parks, squares, roundabouts & alleyways to promote a more traditional neighborhood of the past