Guidelines for Open-space Neighborhoods

on the Urban Fringe

“Natural
Environments
for Urban
Populations”

A research work
Illustration 1: Open Space Subdivision
unit of the USDA
Forest Service
North Central Principle Investigators: Christine A. Vogt, Michigan State University, and
Robert W. Marans, University of Michigan
Research Station
Residential development throughout the North Central Region is rapidly expanding
1033 University into the green open spaces on the outer fringes of metropolitan areas and bringing
significant changes to the landscape. Much has been written about the problems
Place, Suite 360 associated with this kind of development (i.e., sprawl), including negative impacts on
Evanston, IL farms and forests, water and air quality, and recreational opportunities. An emerging
60201-3172 alternative to haphazard, sprawling development is the creation of residential
developments with shared open, natural spaces known as “Open Space
Neighborhoods.” This is one of the options being set forth as part of “smart”
residential development.
847-866-9311
To better understand this kind of development and its implications for natural resource
policy, our research cooperators at the University of Michigan and Michigan State
University conducted focus groups with homeowners and interviews with local
government officials, developers, and environmentalists in Livingston and Washtenaw
For more Counties outside of Detroit. Local government officials tended to view open space
information, neighborhoods favorably because they maintained natural areas and provided recreation
contact opportunities for local residents, potentially reducing the need for new public parks and
Susan Stewart recreational services. Developers believed that such neighborhoods facilitated home
(x13) sales. Residents felt that their quality of life was enhanced in a number of significant
ways. Some residents felt that their new home environment took the place of having a
second home “up north.” Environmentalists believed that such neighborhoods protect
natural resources, provide habitat for wildlife, and maintain ecosystems.

Research suggests five major guidelines for policy makers to consider

concerning open-space subdivisions:
Guidelines for Open-space Neighborhoods
on the Urban Fringe (page 2)

“Natural
Environments
for Urban
Populations” Illustration 2: Traditional Subdivision

A research work Connectivity and coordination – Government units should prepare open space plans
to guide future land acquisition and development, and to establish mechanisms for
unit of the USDA linking public and private parcels for ecological, recreational, and aesthetic purposes.
Forest Service
North Central Inter-governmental cooperation – Increase coordination and cooperation between
Research Station political units in preparing land use plans, developing regulatory systems and approval
processes, and managing natural resources.

1033 University Natural resource management — Develop alternative institutional arrangements,

Place, Suite 360 approaches, and techniques for managing neighborhood natural resources. Encourage
Evanston, IL public-private partnerships.
60201-3172 Equal access to nature and recreational opportunities – Where open space
neighborhoods exist or are being planned, address issues of access to natural resources
and recreation opportunities so that the benefits of natural settings can be shared by
residents from other parts of the community.
847-866-9311
Developer incentives – Provide incentives to encourage developers to protect and
maintain natural resources.

For more Related Publications

information,
contact Vogt, Christine A. and Marans, Robert W. 2004. Natural resources and open space in the
residential decision process: a study of recent movers to fringe counties in southeast Michigan.
Susan Stewart
Landscape and Urban Planning. 69: 255-269.
(x13)
Vogt, Christine A. and Marans , Robert W. 2002. Understanding landscape change in open
space neighborhoods: views from developers and residents. In: Proceedings of the 2002
Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-302: 72-78.

Vogt, Christine A. and Marans, Roberts W. 2001. The role, use and benefits of natural
recreation areas within and near residential subdivisions. In: Sharon Todd, Ed. Proceedings of
the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289: 208-213.