| The importance of the nearby natural environment was
studied in the context of multiple-family housing. Residents at nine sites
responded to a questionnaire about the kinds of natural areas near their
home and the perceived adequacy of these facilities. While the nearby
environment is often relegated to the category of "amenity," the
findings suggest that the availability and adequacy of nearby natural
elements is of far greater significance than such a characterization
implies. Furthermore, different aspects of the natural environment need to
be distinguished. Large open spaces, for example, played a minor role, at
best, in residents' ratings of satisfaction with various aspects of the
neighborhood. Opportunities to grow plants, by contrast, were
significantly related to the sense of community. The most important
factors in neighborhood satisfaction, however, were the availability of
nearby trees, well-landscaped grounds, and places for taking walks. The
data suggest that some of the psychological satisfactions traditionally
associated with home ownership may be achieved even in the multiple-family
housing context through the effective use of the natural environment.AU |