The evolution of the neighborhood unit concept as a physical development tool of planners

It should be the role of city planners to consider and evaluate every rational alternative available before making recommendations concerning a city's growth and development. Too often it would appear that cities grow by chance or irregularity without considering the consequences and impacts of development proposals. Similarly, the costs of urban expansion are often not fully realized until after the expansion takes place. This is unfortunate given the impact of disparate residential development on both city service provision and the comprehensive planning process.

This thesis investigates such a development alternative which was first proposed by Clarence Arthur Perry in Monograph VII of The Regional Survey of New York and Its Environs published in 1929. The thesis focuses on the elements which were integrated and refined by Perry in developing his highly publicized concept. Close examination of the origin of the elements embodied in the concept reveal that Perry's idea was actually a synthesis of several single focus planning concepts which were deep rooted in both English City Planning and Early American City Planning.

While the concept is often referred to in city planning circles, the neighborhood unit has realized only limited success as a development alternative. Perhaps this is due to a lack of understanding by city planners of the history and rationale leading to its formation. However, a few enterprising developers have chosen to utilize the concept especially as a developmental scheme for large scale new town developments. In these instances the concept has been desirable in terms of the developer, urban service provision, and residential satisfaction.

This thesis is historical in nature and focuses on the background, development, utilization, and applicability of the neighborhood unit concept as a physical development tool. The research findings reveal that the concept is both theoretically rational and can be practically useful as a development alternative in expanding urban areas. It is the intent of the author to reacquaint planners and developers with a long neglected proposal in the hopes that city's will at least reconsider its applicability as a controlled growth alternative.