Open Space Communities

Abstract

Though the concept is often left undefined, "open space" in residential areas is generally viewed as an asset. Duany et al. (2000), for example, suggest that "the generous provision of open space" offers the "main advantage" of suburbs over the city (p. 31). With forest, field, and farm steadily giving way to development, many communities express their desire to protect open space by adopting open space ordinances for residential development. Details of these ordinances vary widely, but their common concerns are to concentrate dwelling units in order to increase the undeveloped portion of land for stormwater management, wildlife corridors, and other conservation purposes.

Citation

Kaplan, Rachel; Kaplan, Rachel; Austin, Maureen E.; Kaplan, Stephen. 2004. Open Space Communities. Journal of the American Planning Association