Pocket Neighborhoods

Seattle based architect Ross Chapin has been trying to address issues of urban sprawl with a new urban living concept called Pocket Neighborhoods.  It is a very interesting concept and we wanted to take a moment to feature it.

The concept is simple.  In the urban environment we do not have much space for everyone to have their own acre with a mini-mansion on it.  That usually means that most urban residents are confined to one large house on a small lot, or living in an apartment/condo setting.

Ross Chapin’s Pocket Neighborhoods “are clustered groups of neighboring houses or apartments gathered around some sort of shared open space — a garden courtyard, a pedestrian street, a series of joined backyards, or a reclaimed alley — all of which have a clear sense of territory and shared stewardship.”

It is a very interesting concept.  We like it because it gives people a sense of their own space.  Creating a sense of community where there might not have been before.  I can’t remember ever living in an apartment complex or condo and feeling that sense of community.

There are some really great example layouts of Pocket Neighborhoods over at this site.

He also has a book that talks more about the concept of Pocket Neighborhoods and community space.  The book can be found here.

Would you want to live in a Pocket Neighborhood? Leave a comment and let us know.