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What are some of the alternatives to traditional subdivision and neighborhood development?

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• Accessory housing, such as carriage houses or in-law suites that are added to existing properties, is one way to bring affordable housing into existing neighborhoods. In the Washington DC area, for example, housing becomes more and more affordable the further away from the city you get. Many people, especially young families with children, have no option but to commute over an hour one way to work in the city if they desire to own their own home. In some communities, accessory housing laws are being revised to allow for less expensive accessory homes in already established, and often pricey, neighborhoods.
• Cluster developments, whether they are commercial, residential or mixed use, are developments in which a large portion of space is set aside (not divided) for the common use or enjoyment of all the residents. A fine example of this is the Greenway Conservation development outside of Lexington, Virginia. A total of 41 acres make up this development, but an amazing 30 acres of this property is conservation land that all the residents enjoy together. A barn, pastures, walking trails and so forth make up the conservation lands.
• Cottage housing is ideal for empty-nesters, singles or two person families. The houses average from 600 to 1000 square feet, thus taking up nearly half of the land requirements of a traditional house.
• Residential infill development involves finding underutilized properties and re-developing them for most efficient use of space and nearby public resources. "Big Box" or "Greyfield" redevelopment refers to taking the large abandoned stores or strip malls and creating innovative housing or business opportunities. Similarly, "brownfields" are abandoned factories or similar structures. Safety and contamination issues must be addressed, but beautiful loft apartments are popping up all over the country in renovated factories and previously abandoned buildings.
• Redevelopment of depressed neighborhoods can be a key way to take advantage of already existing infrastructure, curb high crime areas and create mixed income living areas. In some areas, houses are built and a certain percentage of them are available for qualified low-income buyers. This creates beauty where there was decline and beauty in diverse populations.

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