Welcome to...

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

2. Housing and Community

3. 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)

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. Ernest Burgess: Invasion, dominance & succession in the city

8. Other theories • Social contagion • Collective socialization • Neighborhood resource • Relative deprivation

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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.

21. Neighborhood Satisfaction • Influenced by: • Personal factors • Physical factors • Social factors • Neighborhood segregation • Safety factors

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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