THE NEW SUBURBIA 463 



taking advantage of the benefits of nature does not come automati- 

 cally. It requires thoughtful planning. 



Ours is a heterogeneous society in virtually every aspect. Many 

 families enjoy the convenience of in-town living with nearby centers 

 of employment, commerce, and recreation. Among this group, some 

 families seek housing in the detached home with a small city-size lot, 

 some in multifamily development, and others prefer townhouses. 



The picture is not entirely different in the frontiers of the city. 

 Of course, a great percentage of housing that exists in suburban 

 areas today is a product of the housing-shortage years immediately 

 following World War II. Then, the emphasis was on shelter and 

 the need was urgent. 



More recently, industry has begun to produce housing which in- 

 corporates fulfilling environments in addition to meeting housing 

 needs. In large measure, this is being done through a sophisticated 

 approach to the colonial concept of housing on the village green, in- 

 cluding all housing types. This concept is called a planned-unit 

 development. 



Essentially, a planned-unit development provides more intensive 

 housing land use and permits incorporation of sizable, open, parklike 

 areas and recreation facilities which are commonly owned and main- 

 tained through a homes association in which membership is auto- 

 matic. 



This land development concept provides the flexibility and varia- 

 tions of housing types which present market demand requires. It 

 would not be uncommon in a planned unit to find cluster develop- 

 ment of detached homes, townhouses, and, to a minor degree, multi- 

 storied or garden-type apartment developments. 



The concept of townhouses-on-the-green, in practice, incorporates 

 many of the benefits of apartment living a minimum of lawn care 

 and exterior maintenance with the amenities and pleasure of home 

 ownership. It provides individual family privacy in small private 

 yards, yet has readily available the relaxing and inviting spaciousness 

 of open green areas of natural beauty. 



Common ownership of recreation facilities and open areas re- 

 quires a responsible entity to assure continued maintenance and care. 

 This function is performed by a homes association. Membership 

 in the association is automatic. Each property owner has a voice in 

 the management of the association. Similarly, each has a respon- 

 sibility to support its functions financially. It is not costly. For a 



