Neighbors, Households, and Front Porches

Abstract

New Urbanists believe that front porches, along with narrow streets, back-alley garages, shallow setbacks, and street trees, may promote small town neighborliness of the 1920s. Critics dismiss such design ideas as simply nostalgic yeamings. Social uses of 1920s era and more modem porches were studied to add data to the debate. Although reported porch use has declined over time, porches still provide a leisurely setting for conversing with one's neighbors or simply watching the neighborhood. However, the New Urbanists have underestimated the other positive functions reported by front porch users. Residents enjoy the setting as a place to be alone, with multiple members of the household, or with neighbors. A variety of fond memories are attached to the front porch, even in the modern era with the multiple competitors for free time.