New Town Research Articles

Wayfinding in a Wasteland: An Exploration of Embodiment in the Master-Planned Community of Rancho Vistoso

Wayfinding in a Wasteland: An Exploration of Embodiment in the Master-Planned Community of Rancho Vistoso

Land of New Towns

Land of New Towns

New Perspectives on Planned Unit Developments

Planned unit developments, also called planned communities, are a major development type. Originally cluster housing projects with common open space, they can be planned today as infill in downtown areas or as a major master-planned community. They require discretionary review, are often dominant in the zoning process, and present a challenge to the zoning system. A threshold question is how municipalities should zone for planned unit developments, and this Article discusses conditional use, base zone, and rezoning alternatives. This Article next discusses the zoning review process for these developments, which must operate fairly and produce acceptable decisions. Alternatives that can avoid or supplement discretionary review are considered next, and this Article concludes with a discussion of affordable housing as a social responsibility.

A Study on the Reorganization of Administrative Districts in New Town

A Study on the Reorganization of Administrative Districts in New Town

The Limits to Authority: Developer Interventions and Neighbour Problems on a Master Planned Estate

Master planned estates are large suburban developments built by a private sector developer. As part of its pursuit of building ready-made communities, the Developer becomes active in the management of the estate for years after its completion, subsequently finding itself in the difficult position of running, rather than simply building, new communities. In this paper, this challenge facing the Developer is explored with reference to Foucault’s writing on the problematics of governing under liberalism and the question of what is within the competence of the state and what is not. This paper shows how corporate property developers pose themselves similar questions and face the effects of demarcating certain spheres of residential life as not within their domain. The example addressed here is the issue of managing problems between neighbours and the tensions arising from residents’ expectations that this is indeed a matter of development control.

Aura, the city of colour – Australia's shining example of widescale integrated water cycle management

Aura, the ‘City of Colour’, is a 48,000 person masterplanned community on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Aura commenced construction in 2015 and will be developed over the next 25 years. Aura sets a benchmark in Australia regarding large scale urban water sustainability through the application of techniques such as rainwater capture and reuse, construction and operational stormwater treatment, water conservation, advanced sewer system designs and potentially a major stormwater harvesting and indirect potable reuse scheme. This paper outlines the journey taken in seeing Aura advance from ‘concept’ to ‘reality’, describes data collection undertaken and modelling tools applied and outlines activities being implemented at Aura to protect sensitive downstream environments and simultaneously deliver water cycle and project sustainability benefits.

Talking while walking: an investigation of perceived neighbourhood walkability and its implications for the social life of older people

This qualitative research examines the perceived walkability of different neighbourhood built-form patterns and their implications for the social life of older people. The findings suggest that both transport and leisure/exercise walking are more frequent within master-planned communities (MPC) as opposed to conventional suburbs. The main reasons for this are the proximity of destinations, the provision of aesthetically attractive areas, and residents’ feelings of being safe from crime and risk of injury within MPCs. The research reveals that walking within MPCs significantly contributes to more frequent social interactions and the establishment of weak and absent ties among older age residents.

The contextualization of divergent outlooks in a Greenfield master-planned community: a pathway towards reflexivity

ABSTRACTComprehensive design schemes and specifications have progressively shaped Master-Planned Communities (MPCs). The market largely predetermines these outcomes, with background input from communities. Therefore, this paper endeavours to define the fundamental structures that generate differences between market actors and residents within the North Lakes MPC. This study employs ‘habitus theory’, which is a sociological phenomenon describing the divergence of personal outlooks and expertise. The application of this theory is thus illustrative of the evolution of distinct observations within MPCs. Contemporary studies have under-researched these inherent gaps between communities, authorities, and critics, and these frictions could be exacerbated within restrictive developmental contexts. Epistemic and objectified content analyses collated over many years and sources will uncover the underlying differences between the relevant groups. These analyses will enable the progression of a framework for understanding power relation biases and how reflexivity can enhance current consultative methods.

Master plans and urban ecosystems: How the poor transform land-use from rigid into organic - A case from Colombia

In recent years, many Latin-American states have been increasingly involved in the provision of subsidized housing for the urban poor. These housing projects are usually implemented in forms of massive master planned estates located in urban peripheries. The focus on quantity of housing units built, as opposed to the good location, connectivity and functionality of the dwellings, impedes access of the residents to income-generating opportunities and reduces their socio-economic mobility.This paper analyzes how residents in one of such social housing complexes –Villas de San Pablo in Barranquilla, Colombia– adopt and respond to these challenges in their own, informal ways. Building on empirical data obtained from interviews, observation and an enumeration survey, the author explains how the lack of jobs and economic opportunities in the area motivated many of the dwellers to convert their houses to accommodate different income-generating activities. Thus, this paper documents how a master planned project and its land-use transform from a strictly controlled into a diverse and organic urban ecosystem. The author argues for an urgent revision of the planning practices, inflexible zoning bylaws and outdated design principles that shape these “modern” affordable housing projects.

Urban Fringe Land Use Transitions in Hong Kong: From New Towns to New Development Areas

Land in urban fringe area is the primary source for land supply and development. In Hong Kong (HK), nine new towns have been built in New Territories since 1970s, providing 172.6 km2 built-up land and large amount of residences for 3.4 million people. However, due to land scarcity, development restriction, and social opposition, New Development Area (NDA), as the small-scale extension of New Town (NT), was designated as one of the main approaches for HK medium and long term land supply. To demonstrate the characteristics of urban fringe land use transitions in Hong Kong, literature review and case study were used in this research. The history of new town development and the scheme of new development areas were introduced firstly. Afterwards, the land use features of NT and NDA were compared and the case of Hung Shui Kiu NDA was illustrated. It is concluded that while housing, infrastructure and facility were the main elements in NTs, employment, vibrancy and environment were suggested to be the new compulsory elements in NDAs integrated to the traditional planning concepts. As for the development approach, lease modification was adopted in NDA to allow private landowners directly develop their land, in addition to the traditional development approach of land resumption in NT. It is suggested to ensure the development of NDA, the proposed development plan should be persuasive to provide the optimal land use distribution as a trade-off among the profits of developers, the interests of local villager, government concern and the provision of land for future residents. Also, community engagement will play a more important role in NDA planning process. Referring to the analysis of urban fringe land use transitions and strategies for planning and development, the study would also be helpful to others growing cities.

A Comparative Study on Aging Characteristics in Metropolitan Area New Towns of Korea and Japan Specifically on Bundang and Tama New Town

A Comparative Study on Aging Characteristics in Metropolitan Area New Towns of Korea and Japan Specifically on Bundang and Tama New Town

Empirical Analyses on Intention to Live and Consumption Expenditure of Urban Residents in Neighboring Counties of Naepo New Town

Empirical Analyses on Intention to Live and Consumption Expenditure of Urban Residents in Neighboring Counties of Naepo New Town

New Town Development Issues and Future Research as an Eco-city Worth Seeing in Environmental Value Theory - Bun-dang, Sang-am, Dong-tan2 Center -

New Town Development Issues and Future Research as an Eco-city Worth Seeing in Environmental Value Theory - Bun-dang, Sang-am, Dong-tan2 Center -

A Study on Location and User Satisfaction of the Green Buffer Zone in Gwanggyo New Town

A Study on Location and User Satisfaction of the Green Buffer Zone in Gwanggyo New Town

Hope for new communities as an alternative to sprawl?: Insights from developer perceptions of amenities in future new communities in the U.S. and U.K

New Communities are again being promoted as an alternative to sprawling urban growth. This paper uses the results of a unique survey of the real estate development communities in the U.S. and U.K. to examine the likelihood that future New Communities will provide the array of amenities necessary to create developments that provide a true alternative to sprawl. Based on an analysis of this data we conclude that while developers do envision New Communities as more amenity rich than much of the suburban master-planned communities of the last few decades, they are nonetheless still likely to produce developments that have an insufficient array of amenities to make future New Communities a strong alternative to sprawl.

Balancing the Ecological Function of Residential Stormwater Ponds with Homeowner Landscaping Practices.

Stormwater ponds are installed in urban developments to provide the ecosystem services of flood control and water treatment. In coastal areas, these ponds are connected to watersheds that can drain directly into protected estuaries, making their design, function, and maintenance critical to environmental protection. However, stormwater ponds in residential areas are increasingly managed as aesthetic amenities that add value to real estate rather than as engineered devices with special maintenance requirements. To help extend the life of neighborhood stormwater systems and improve ecosystem services, homeowners should follow best management practices for nutrient management and add shoreline plantings and non-invasive, beneficial aquatic plants to their ponds. This study used focus group and survey research to document the knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of homeowners living near stormwater ponds in a master-planned community in Florida. The study was designed to use a social marketing research approach to promote Extension best practices. Findings indicate that many residents were aware of the functional components of stormwater systems and respondents' receptivity to best management practices was mediated by age, their attitudes about water quality and whether their home was adjacent to a pond. These findings can be used to target Extension audiences and improve adoption of stormwater pond best management practices for increased protection of water quality.

Landscaping practices, community perceptions, and social indicators for stormwater nonpoint source pollution management

This study sought to assess the relationship between regulatory and educational approaches to nutrient management and homeowner behaviors, perceptions, and knowledge of best management practices (BMPs). Fertilizers, and pesticides applied in excess by homeowners and landscapers can impair stormwater ponds and cause nuisance algae blooms, eutrophication and fish kills. They can also affect water quality in downstream creeks, and bays. To reduce the potential for nutrient-laden runoff to the aquatic environment, local and state governments passed different regulatory mechanisms that govern the use of BMPs and a fertilizer black out period. Interviews, surveys, and participant observation were used to gather quantitative and qualitative data in order to establish social indicator scores and evaluate knowledge and attitudes surrounding the fertilizer ordinance in a Master Planned community in Manatee County Florida. Results showed that most residents (69%) had not seen any materials related to the blackout period and lacked awareness of the components of the ordinance, including its restrictions on phosphorous and nitrogen applications and disposal of grass and landscape debris. The findings reveal the importance of social dimensions in sustainable stormwater management and suggest target areas for increasing awareness of the fertilizer ordinance and strengthening the link between social norms and environmental stewardship.

Assessing the energy intensity of peri-urbanisation: A master plan approach

The present study explores the effects of peri-urban land use planning on residential and transportation energy use and on related CO2 emissions on the urban fringe of Tartu, a medium sized town in Estonia, by matching energy demand with the operational scale of physical planning, with master plans and dwellings serving as survey elements. Three life cycle assessment (LCA) categories are covered: the energy use of manufacturing building materials, the energy needs of the operational use of dwellings, and the energy use of private car transportation in a total of 239 master planned settlements. The results show that detached single-family houses consume an average of 41.2MWh of energy and emit 19.7t of CO2 annually and are approximately 2.5–2.9 times as energy and CO2 emission intensive as apartment dwellings and 1.5–1.6 times as intensive as semi-detached dwellings. Although no significant variation in energy use per square metre was found, the results indicate that single-family dwellings tend to have larger floor areas per person and located further away from the city centre. Therefore, they require more energy, especially in operational phases and transportation sectors, underlining a need for a more effective land use planning framework for peri-urban areas.

Planning for community: understanding diversity in resident experiences and expectations of social connections in a new urban fringe housing estate, Australia

ABSTRACTMaster-planned estates are a major source of new housing for growing cities. Much research finds these residential developments lack genuine social connections between residents despite marketing of ‘close-knit’ community. Selandra Rise is a new residential development on the urban fringe of Melbourne, Australia. The estate was planned with a focus on community infrastructure and resident well-being. The resident population was younger and more culturally diverse than most other master-planned community case studies. A longitudinal research design was used to explore resident understanding, experiences and needs relating to place-based community. Interviews were conducted with residents before moving to the estate and 9–18 months after moving. Some residents considered community as an amenity provided by the master-planned environment that did not require their social participation. Others aspired to make social connections with neighbours but had varying levels of success. Past experiences which contributed to aspirations for connecting with local community, and the ways that these aims were realised or hindered, are discussed. Understanding diverse resident expectations of community and insights from their lived experience are used to make recommendations for planning new neighbourhoods and designing community development programmes.

PRIVACY AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS IN NEW RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES CASE STUDY: PHASE TWO OF PARAND NEW TOWN

Study of populations with similar cultural traits and lifestyles usually determines the requirements of the future residents of residential complexes that their future residents are unknown. Compatibility and harmony between human factors and physical patterns may lead to design residential environments encouraging residents to have behaviors appropriate to social life and residence tradition. A balance between privacy and social interactions is an essential issue that can be achieved by physical elements in social and personal context of every society based on its own cultural values. The present study aimed to provide a correct and comprehensive research on privacy and social interactions in residential complexes built in new towns. In other words, knowing these factors can help us to design environments physically suitable for interactions between residents and creation of private spaces for them. In design of new towns, for different reasons, privacy and social interactions are ignored. This causes distance and distrust among residents of these towns and also a lack of sense of belonging to their own home and town. For this reason, the present paper studied factors contributing to privacy and social interactions between residential complexes residents in new towns and proposed some solutions to improve these factors in order to move towards optimal architecture.