Concepts of Neighbourhood: A Review of the Literature

This comprehensive literature review dives deep into the critical forces shaping modern urban life and the complex relationship between planning strategy and resident experience. It examines the complexity of development policy and sociological reality to provide a robust, strategic analysis of the neighbourhood ecosystem.

Five core areas were examined: 

1. Neighbourhood Planning: Focused analysis of development patterns, smart growth initiatives, and the impact of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
2. Neighbourhood Units and Boundaries: Examining how planners define communities versus how residents perceive them.
3. Neighbourhood Walkability: The vital metrics and sociological outcomes of designing accessible, pedestrian-friendly spaces.
4. Neighbourhood Satisfaction: The crucial, subjective measure of resident (and residential) well-being.
5. Neighbourhood Change: Understanding the dynamics of growth, evolution, and decline in urban settings.

Structured to be read as a coherent narrative that guides you through the progression of urban theory, this document is also designed for immediate utility. Throughout the text, you will find relevant references and abstracts included in clearly marked text-boxes, ensuring this review serves as an indispensable, easy-to-use tool for writing subsequent research reports and articles.

Read the full report via the National Science Challenges website HERE.