Definition
Cluster Housing refers to a subdivision technique in real estate where individual homes, which are typically detached, are grouped relatively close together. This reduces the amount of land each home occupies while designating surrounding areas as common spaces for communal use. This method promotes an efficient use of land, preserves natural areas, and encourages community interaction.
Examples
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Greenfield Developments: In urban expansions where new housing is being constructed on the outskirts of existing cities, cluster housing can create suburban neighborhoods with plenty of green spaces.
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Conservation Subdivisions: These residential developments are designed to preserve a significant portion of open space and natural habitat while clustering homes on the remaining lands for conservation efforts.
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Senior Living Communities: Cluster housing is often used in age-restricted communities to provide social areas and amenities within walking distance, facilitating aging in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of cluster housing?
- Cluster housing provides numerous benefits including the conservation of open space, cost efficiency in utilities and services, fostering a sense of community, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of neighborhoods.
2. How does cluster housing impact property values?
- Cluster housing can positively impact property values due to the enhanced communal amenities and preserved natural spaces, though this varies by location and market conditions.
3. Is cluster housing limited to residential use?
- While predominantly residential, cluster housing principles can extend to mixed-use developments including small commercial establishments to support the local community.
4. How is cluster housing regulated?
- Local zoning laws and land use regulations govern cluster housing. Developers must adhere to these codes, which might include requirements for open space preservation and community amenities.
5. What is the difference between cluster housing and traditional suburban housing?
- Traditional suburban housing typically features large lot sizes with private yards, while cluster housing involves smaller lots with shared common areas to maximize open space and encourage communal interaction.
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Subdivision: The act of dividing a larger piece of land into smaller lots for individual ownership.
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Zoning Laws: Legal frameworks that dictate land use and development standards, including residential densities and open space requirements.
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Condominium: A type of residential building involving individual ownership of units and shared ownership of common areas.
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Planned Unit Development (PUD): A type of development designed to achieve specific development goals, often involving mixed-use zoning and communal spaces.
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Greenbelt: A policy and land use designation that preserves areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding urban areas.
Online Resources
References
- “Land Use Planning and Sustainable Development” by David B. Resnik
- “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Designing Community: Charrettes, Master Plans and Form-based Codes” by David Walters
- “Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream” by Andrés Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck
- “The Well-Tempered City: What Modern Science, Ancient Civilizations, and Human Nature Teach Us About the Future of Urban Life” by Jonathan F.P. Rose
Real Estate Basics: Cluster Housing Fundamentals Quiz
### What is the main principle behind cluster housing?
- [x] To group homes together and preserve open spaces for communal use.
- [ ] To spread homes evenly throughout the property.
- [ ] To maximize the number of homes irrespective of open space.
- [ ] To utilize vertical building methods.
> **Explanation:** Cluster housing aims to group homes close together to allow for significant communal open spaces, enhancing communal interaction and land conservation.
### Which of the following could be a potential benefit of cluster housing?
- [x] Conservation of natural habitats.
- [ ] Increased private lot sizes.
- [ ] Separation of residential and recreational spaces.
- [ ] Exclusive-use yards without common areas.
> **Explanation:** Cluster housing's main benefit includes the conservation of open or natural areas by reducing the size of private lots in favor of shared communal spaces.
### Cluster housing is governed primarily by which of the following?
- [ ] Federal housing guidelines.
- [x] Local zoning laws.
- [ ] International building codes.
- [ ] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
> **Explanation:** Local zoning laws and land use regulations dictate the implementation of cluster housing, including requirements for open spaces and shared amenities.
### What is a common characteristic of cluster housing?
- [ ] Homes are built very close with no yards.
- [ ] Homes are spaced evenly over large lots.
- [x] Homes are grouped close, sharing communal open spaces.
- [ ] Homes must include mixed commercial spaces.
> **Explanation:** The key characteristic of cluster housing is that the residential units are grouped close together while sharing communal open spaces, promoting efficient land use and community building.
### How does cluster housing impact the environment?
- [x] Positively, by conserving more open and natural spaces.
- [ ] Negatively, by increasing concrete areas.
- [ ] It has no impact.
- [ ] Permits more land disturbance than other housing methods.
> **Explanation:** Cluster housing can positively impact the environment by conserving larger portions of open or natural spaces, making it an environmentally-friendly subdivision technique.
### In what type of development is cluster housing often utilized?
- [ ] Industrial parks
- [ ] High-rise apartment complexes
- [x] Suburban developments and senior living communities
- [ ] Shopping malls
> **Explanation:** Cluster housing is commonly utilized in suburban developments and senior living communities, providing ample sunset to the communal open spaces and amenities necessary for community living.
### What is the primary goal of cluster housing with respect to land usage?
- [ ] Maximizing the number of housing units
- [x] Efficient land usage with preservation of open spaces
- [ ] Designing exclusively urban high-density areas
- [ ] Eliminating all open spaces
> **Explanation:** The primary goal of cluster housing is to ensure efficient usage of land while preserving significant open spaces for communal living and natural conservation.
### Which professional groups are most likely to advocate for cluster housing?
- [ ] Industrial Engineers
- [x] Urban Planners and Environmental Designers
- [ ] Stock Brokers
- [ ] Corporate Lawyers
> **Explanation:** Urban planners and environmental designers are the professional groups most likely to advocate for cluster housing due to its benefits in urban planning and environmental conservation.
### What aspect of traditional suburban housing does cluster housing seek to improve?
- [ ] Increasing private driveway lengths
- [ ] Individual, larger private yards
- [x] Shared, accessible community open spaces
- [ ] Reducing house size standard
> **Explanation:** Cluster housing seeks to improve the accessibility and amount of shared community open spaces, contrasting the individual, larger private yards found in traditional suburban housing.
### Who primarily benefits from the community spaces created in cluster housing developments?
- [x] Residents of the housing development
- [ ] Only visiting relatives
- [ ] Local businesses
- [ ] Government officials
> **Explanation:** The residents of the cluster housing developments primarily benefit from the created community spaces, which foster social interaction, recreational activities, and a sense of community.
