Neighborhood perspectives on suburbia : an exploration on form, identity and meaning in the contemporary suburban landscape

Abstract

Urban designers, planners and social commentators have argued that the contemporary suburban landscape of isolated subdivisions, office parks, and malls is devoid of identity and meaning. Critics protest the environmental impact of suburban development patterns and the increasing fragmentation of communities; yet Americans continue to locate in the suburbs in increasing numbers. Designers have responded to the problems of suburban sprawl with plans for new self-contained towns, while few proposals have been made for retrofitting existing suburbs. This thesis explores the relationship between spatial structure, perception, and behavior in the contemporary suburban landscape from a neighborhood perspective. Twenty-four interviews were conducted with residents of Lexington and Burlington, two suburban towns in eastern Massachusetts. These towns have similar histories and demographic characteristics but distinctly different patterns of development. Lexington has retained a semi-rural, residential character, while Burlington has developed more of its land and encouraged commercial and industrial uses. In each of the two towns, two contrasting neighborhoods were selected for study. Each of these four neighborhoods represents a different type of development, based on its street system, density, lot sizes, access to open space, and proximity to shops and services. In each of the four neighborhoods, six interviews were conducted using questionnaires, maps and photographs. The interview data from these four neighborhoods, combined with an analysis of existing spatial patterns, suggest that five inter-related themes are important in suburban town and neighborhood design. These themes are i) integrated road networks, ii) visible and accessible open spaces, iii) social town centers, iv) walkable neighborhoods, and v) active front yards. Based on these themes, a set of related principles is proposed for interventions to improve the existing suburban environment.