Choosing a House: The Relationship between Dwelling Type, Perception of Privacy and Residential Satisfaction

Abstract

This study measures satisfaction of residents in two new, higher-density suburban subdivisions: one of small detached houses on small lots, the other townhouses. The post-occupancy evaluation found that satisfaction with housing does not depend on whether a house is attached or detached and that house design can be more important than site design. Putting more houses on less land makes privacy more difficult to attain, and it may force a trade-off between open space and adequate auto accommodation. The findings support the kind of regulatory flexibility that will allow developers to maintain density levels while allowing residents the space they say they need. Adherence to regulatory standards, however, is not sufficient in evaluating a subdivision proposal. The planner needs to evaluate the location, footprint, and orientation of each dwelling and to take differences in site design into account when determining the amount of off-street parking to mandate.