2010 volume 37(3) pages 387 – 407
doi:10.1068/b35098

Cite as:
Garde A, Saphores J-D, Matthew R, Day K, 2010, "Sustainable neighbourhood development: missed opportunities in Southern California" Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design 37(3) 387 – 407
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Sustainable neighbourhood development: missed opportunities in Southern California

Ajay Garde, Jean-Daniel Saphores, Richard Matthew, Kristen Day

Received 12 August 2008; in revised form 7 April 2009; published online 8 January 2010

Abstract. We examine the diffusion of sustainable planning and design concepts into neighbourhood development projects, based on findings of a survey of planners in all 180 cities of five Southern California counties. Sustainable neighbourhood development has particular significance in Southern California owing to the regions’s rapid growth. We compare ‘typical’ and ‘innovative’ neighbourhood developments to determine whether sustainable planning and design concepts are being incorporated in these projects. Although planners agree that ‘innovative’ projects are more likely than ‘typical’ projects to incorporate sustainable planning and design concepts, sustainability is not a high priority even in innovative neighbourhood projects. Our respondents identified significant barriers to and limited opportunities for encouraging sustainable neighbourhood development. These trends in planning and design appear likely to continue unless strong policy and other mechanisms are adopted to encourage sustainable neighbourhood development. The paper concludes with recommendations to promote more sustainable neighbourhood development.

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