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Freedom, Security
Central in Search for New Homes
Research
by Environmentalists and Realtors
Reveals Value-Driven Decisions
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
October 23, 2003
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CONTACTS:
Conan Smith
Michigan Environmental Council
517-487-9539
Brad Ward
Michigan Association of Realtors
800.454.7842
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LANSING
-Prospective homebuyers in Michigan care
less about the size of their lot and more about community and
neighborhoods, according to new research from the Michigan Environmental
Council and the Michigan Association of Realtors.
Focus groups conducted in Detroit
and Grand Rapids found that a large portion of prospective homebuyers
in Michigan preferred higher density housing when the characteristics
were described clearly. Their choice, however, was not related
to a sense of duty to the land or environment. They simply feel
it reflects their needs and values.
"For the most part, we all
want good looking, safe neighborhoods where our kids can play,"
said Brad Ward, Director of Legal Affairs at the Michigan Association
of Realtors. "Our biggest challenge is finding ways to
talk to each other about how our communities should be growing."
Four focus groups - conducted by
Belden, Russonello & Stewart, a Washington, D.C. based research
and communications firm and funded by the People and Land project
of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation - identified a core set of values
motivating Michigan homebuyers:
Freedom,
which is expressed as the desire for privacy, quiet, and a
choice where and how to live;
Security, expressed as keeping one's family safe from
crime;
Desire to secure a high quality of life for one's family,
expressed as convenience, diversity, and knowing one's neighbors;
and
Aesthetics, which is described as a desire to be near
nature, parks, rivers, lakes, as well as a dislike of "cookie-cutter"
housing developments.
"For too long,
many communities have relied on simple lot size formulas to
promote growth or protect their open space," said MEC's
Land Programs Director Conan Smith. "That approach is
exacerbating urban sprawl without necessarily addressing the
underlying concerns of homebuyers."
The research also revealed that
the terms used to describe different types of development
and their purposes are not well understood, often leading
to differences in intent between homebuyers and the development
and regulatory communities.
A key barrier between community
development agencies and prospective buyers is communications.
Phrases commonly used among developers and planners have distinctly
different connotations for homebuyers, according to the study.
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When
Planners Say . . .
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They Mean . . .
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And
Homebuyers Hear . . .
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Livable
Communities
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Neighborhoods
with a mix of businesses and residences, as well as open
spaces and transportation options.
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Something vague, like they are settling for less than
optimal living conditions. According to one Grand Rapids
man, "livable is a weasel word . . . it's something
you say when you don't want to say anything bad." |
High Density Development
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Compact, walkable
community design that reduces strains on public infrastructure
like sewer, water and roads. |
Overcrowded
neighborhoods with buildings and houses crammed together.
One Detroit woman felt it meant "too many people
per square mile." |
Protecting Green Space
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Clustering development
to reduce fragmentation of open spaces. |
Widely spaced
housing avoiding dense development that paves over open
space. |
Walkable Communities
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Places where
homes, workplaces and amenities are in close proximity. |
Good News! Places where homes, workplaces and amenities
are in close proximity . . . it also symbolized safety.
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"One important aspect of
this project overall is to help developers and environmentalists
discover common ground," said Smith. "Housing that
is profitable to build is often environmentally friendly.
Together we need to show consumers that Smart Growth communities
can meet their needs for freedom and security as well."
About "Exploring Questions of Density"
Led by the Michigan Environmental
Council in partnership with the Michigan Association of Realtors,
"Exploring Questions of Density" is funded by People
and Land, a project of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Through
surveys and analysis, the project explores the reasoning behind
and scope and impact of large-lot zoning at the township level
and tests the market objectives of lower density development.
The project is guided by a
steering committee that includes representatives from the
Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Townships Association,
the Michigan Association of Counties, the Michigan Association
of Home Builders and the Michigan Society of Planning.
The complete text of "Residential
Housing Preferences in Michigan" is available at www.mecprotects.org.
Information on Belden, Russonello & Stewart is available
at www.brspoll.com.
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