Suburban Sprawl Alternatives: Retrofitting Residential Neighborhoods for Community Growth

Abstract

As a city‘s population grows, a need is created for increased housing. A traditional way to meet demand is to build new housing and commercial developments at the city‘s edge. As cities sprawl outward, limitless greenfield development becomes standard practice. The developed areas become predominantly low density residential areas that are reliant on automobiles. Increasing concern for suburban lifestyles in terms of health, transportation, environmental issues, etc. have validated exploration for alternative forms by numerous organizations. After being developed, homes often have little connection to community resources and are occupied solely for private use until they fall out of favor for newer developments. The objective of the project is to improve existing efforts of alternative community design by providing methods to improve residential neighborhoods. The project aims to encourage community aspects while increasing the longevity and prominence of communities. In retrofitting existing residential neighborhoods, considerations for housing demands can also be addressed; directing growing populations to existing neighborhoods rather than continually sprawling away from cities. This project intends to create a design alternative to sprawling development and provide comprehensive techniques to retrofit suburban neighborhoods for community growth.