Aerial view of Phase 1 and 2 of Kettering Estates looking down the grand boulevard toward the 2-acre neighborhood commons.
Figure 2: The Lake Avenue Cottages infill development incorporates 28 single-family units on 4.5 acres with 1.5 acres (33%) of open space.
While the modern-day subdivision has filled a crucial need in the mar- ketplace, it has come with a cost. Our landscapes are filled with neigh- borhoods that generally look alike in their uniformity, have removed natural resources that cannot be replaced, and do not provide integrated connections to shared open spaces, which are critical for successful and healthy communities. On the business side, the developers who build these non-descript modern-day subdivisions have few marketing angles but for the actual home itself. When the economy stumbles, or when competition in- creases, they have not done all they can to stand out in the marketplace. They are simply another modern-day subdivision competing among many. Combating monotonous developments can involve many solutions, but the one often overlooked may be the easiest — thoughtful incorpora- tion of interconnected open spaces — think parks and bike/trailways — into new communities. A recent survey by the National Association of Homebuilders revealed two community features that would seri- ously influence a buyer’s decision to purchase a home: • 60 percent would be attracted to a community with walking/jogging trails, and • 54 percent would consider purchasing a house in a development with a park area. A National Association of Realtors survey found that 50 percent of re- spondents would be willing to pay 10 percent more for a house located near a park or protected open space. It also found that 57 percent of respondents would choose a home close to parks and open space over one that was not. Demographics also play a role in the incorporation of open space in residential developments. Active adults — those 55 years and older — are often looking to downsize not only their home, but also the
property they must maintain. Incorporating open space into develop- ments generally requires the shrinking of lots, so this aligns well with the active adult home buyer. These active adults are seeking residential developments with walking trails, open spaces, and other amenities that help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. At the other end of the spectrum are first-time homebuyers. In 2016, the average size of homes decreased, in part due to the emergence of millennial buyers and their housing expectations. Typically, millenni- als are seeking mixed-use communities with character, smaller homes, walkable neighborhoods, and accommodations for bicycles. Another group to consider are “move-up” buyers who often have growing fami- lies with limited time for taking care of larger lawns. Marketing residential neighborhoods to these two buying groups is simpler by providing communities with interconnected open spaces, bicycle and trailway networks, and tasteful homes on smaller lots that require less maintenance. To better understand how open space can be designed into communi- ties, evaluate the three following types of development: • suburban neighborhood, • urban infill neighborhood, and • rural neighborhood. Suburban neighborhood Developers perceive that incorporation of open space will severely impact total unit counts and overall density. Add to that a lack of precedents in the marketplace where open space has been successfully incorporated into residential communities and this results in develop- ers sticking to tried and true conventional development models that they feel best position them in the marketplace. But are they doing all they can to stand out apart from their competition?
44
csengineermag.com
march 2018
Made with FlippingBook Annual report