Charlene's+History+Part+-+The+Neighborhood+Unit


 * __ The Neighborhood Unit __**

Concerned with living conditions and the quality of life that the city could offer its individuals, planning in the 1920’s began to think about creating communities that could both offer services as well as housing. Out of this objective came the Neighborhood Unit concept. According to Hodge and Gordon (2008), Clarence Perry was a major figure during this development in urban planning.

Perry, in his 1929 article //City Planning for Neighborhood Life,// suggested that this kind of development was necessary because families sought homes which were not only attractive, but communities that fostered good schools, convenient shops, and accessible playgrounds. Furthermore, the neighborhood unit would be a “residential island” safe from the destructive forces of grand boulevards and super-highways (Perry, 1929). This type of development would be further characterized by:

· A population of 5,000 to 6,000 people. · Both single family and apartment dwellings. · Could support an elementary school, which would be within walking distance for most children. · Common open spaces that foster face-to-face relations. · Central to the development would be a community center, within a ten-minute walk for most residents. · Ten percent dedication to recreation and park space. · A homogenous group of people with similar living standards. · Main roads outside the community would give it boundaries.

In many ways, shares similarities with Perry’s concept for the Neighborhood Unit. In many ways it differs. Two major expressways, Crowchild Trail and Stoney Trail, bind the physical community. However, unlike Perry’s proposal for a walkable environment, Tuscany remains largely auto dependent. At the center of the radial residential development (see Figure 1.1) are the Tuscany Market and the Tuscany Club. This layout is very similar to that of community center in Perry’s proposal (Figure 1.2), except that Tuscany’s community center is bisected by two roadways: Tuscany Boulevard and Tuscany Way, showing preference for easy access by automobile.

Figure 1.1. Central Tuscany. In red is the Tuscany Market, in light yellow the Tuscany Club. Source: [|http://www.tuscany-community.com], Carma Developers LP.

Figure 2.2. The Neighborhood Unit as Seen by Clarence Perry. Source: American Planners Association. http://www.planning.org/pas/at60/report141.htm

Tuscany is primarily a low density, single-family residential development. It also has its own elementary school. According to Statistics Canada, in 2009 Tuscany has a much larger population than Perry’s ideal neighborhood, at 18,272 residents, of which the majority of residents are young children and adults aged 25 to 54 (City of Calgary 2010). From this data, it can be suggested that young families make up this community in large part, culminating in Perry’s ideals of a socially homogenous group of people.

Hodge, Gerald, and Gordon, David. (2008). //Planning in the Canadian City.// Toronto: Thomson Nelson.
 * __ Sources __**

Perry, Clarence. (1929). City Planning for Neighborhood Life. //Social Forces. Vol 8(//1//).// 98-100.

City of Calgary (2010). //Community Social Statistics: Tuscany//. Retrieved from: http://content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Hall/Business+Units/Community+and+neighbourhood+services/Social+research+policy+and+resources/Community+profiles/Community+Profiles.htm