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NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPES ARE “SPACES”

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Contributed by: DR. SEAN REIF D.C. on 1/20/2007

For many years architects, planners, and landscape architects have shared the view that the SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS between families living on the same block are partly determined by the location of their homes relative to each other and to the Street. It is likely that the Social Dynamics of a neighborhood is influenced by the distance between homes and their setback from the sidewalk. The right combination of site design and building orientation can mean the difference between a DELOPMENT where people exist and a NEIGHBORHOOD where there are CLEAR DEFINITION between Private Space & Public Space arranged in such a way that fosters natural social interaction. Too much emphasis on private spaces creates Isolation, Disconnectedness, and Defensive Attitudes.

Public Space consist of lawns, sidewalks, and the street itself. People may walk leisurely around the neighborhood on sidewalks from which thy may converse with people sitting on front porches, without having to raise their voices to be heard. Sidewalks are important and contribute an essential link tying all the homes together, like a thread.

Front Porches where folks may sit and pass an afternoon or evening, punctuated by casual conversations with passing neighbors. On-street parking spaces because lot sizes are small to accommodate all parking needs comfortably. When cars are parked in front of homes they provide another opportunity for social interaction as residents cross their front lawns and the sidewalk on their way to and from their vehicles.

Picket fences or hedges at the edge of the sidewalk demarcates the full public space from the semipublic space of the front yards. A row of deciduous trees between the street and the sidewalk encloses the street, separates pedestrians from the parked cars and forms the leafy corridor. Space right about 40- 50 feet apart on opposite sides of the street, they frame view, provide visual cohesion on a street that may contain varied building styles, and influence drivers peripheral vision so that they will tend to proceed more slowly, even though the paving may seem quite wide.

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Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

posted on 1/20/2007 @ 12:12:05 PM

Rated Story

While other factors are certainly involved, the basic truth of this is forgotten. A well planned project can often survive economically, even if its development is poorly planned or its management inept. A project that is not well located may fail even though it has the best planning and management. Each parcel of land is unique and has one location. Location is an important element in determining land value. Certain parcels have an intrinsic locational value as a result of good siting, particular soils or mineral deposits, or a favorable exposure to the sun.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

THORNTON , CO

DR. SEAN REIF D.C. has posted 1066 stories and 1238 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. DR. SEAN REIF D.C. 's average story rating is 3.03.

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