Environmental Issues

Problem statement
Rogers  Sukolratanametee (2009) study the relationship between the design of a neighbourhood, and the sense of community among residents of the neighbourhood.

Significance of the problem
The population of the U.S is increasing as a result of natural birth, migration, and longer life expectancy (Rogers  Sukolratanametee, 2009, 325). The combined effect  of these factors is that pressure on existing housing has intensified, leading to the development of more land to cater for the needs of the increasing population. The rapid pace of development therefore makes the relationship between neighbourhood design and sense of community a very important one.

Literature used
The authors borrow and cement their ideas from the works of authors from a wide range scholarly fields. The bulk of the literature is drawn from the fields of Sociology, Urban design and planning, psychology and resource management.

The paper also draws some information from a U.S. census report published in 2001.

Methods used for this study
Four neighbourhoods were first selected for the study. Two were supposed to have ecological designs while the rest were typical suburban settlements. The age of the neighbourhood, price range and metropolitan area were matched.

Self-administered questionnaires were then use to collect data from the residents.

Follow up was done to deliver the questionnaire to the non-respondents.

The data from the 210 questionnaires returned were analyzed to draw conclusion.

Findings
The research established that a stronger sense of community was present among residents of ecologically designed neighbourhoods.  These residents engaged in more supportive acts and were more attached to their neighbourhoods. Residents of typical suburban neighbourhoods developed weaker ties to their communities and neighbourhoods.

Implications
The implication of this study is that although the majority of people do not take into serious account the design of their neighbourhoods, design has long-term implications on the quality of life they lead as well as for how long they remain in that neighbourhood. Potential home-buyers need therefore to evaluate the design of the neighbourhoods where they intend to buy homes before committing their money.

Critique of the findings
The findings may be challenged on the basis of lack of information on the composition of the populations of these neighbourhoods. Although the fact that they live in the same neighbourhood and the home-prices are more or less the same, no much information is given about the racial composition of the residents. The race composition of the residents could have a significant impact on the strength of the sense of community. Race has a role to play in how residents relate as most individuals identify better with their race-mates. Residents of an ecologically designed neighbourhood may appear to have a stronger sense of community yet the strength is founded chiefly on their shared racial background.