Social and Psychological Impacts of Residential Development Patterns at the Urban-Forest Fringe (WAUF-98-002)

A study to explored patterns of residential development that preserve forested land and the social and psychological impacts of these patterns.

In a three-phased research approach, this project explored patterns of residential development that preserve forested land and assessed the social and psychological impacts of these patterns on the people who interact with them.

Study One explored the impacts of density and open space patterns on residential satisfaction and psychological well-being among residents. Study Two examined the appeals of living "out in the country" and having "space" and explored the meanings of these concepts for individuals who decide to live in new commuter-based subdivisions. Both of these studies also explored residents' potentially contradictory values regarding residential development along the urban-forest fringe and looked at some of the trade offs among these values. Study Three explored both residents' and planners' perceptions of "rural character" and examined the influence of density and open space on these perceptions. Taken together, these studies provide insight into how residential development can be accommodated in ways that preserve forests while providing individuals with satisfying places to live.

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