Policy and Design for Changing Living Situations: An Architectural Perspective
Open Access
- Author:
- Topper, Kristen
- Graduate Program:
- Architecture
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- April 18, 2019
- Committee Members:
- Ute Poerschke, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Denise Rae Costanzo, Committee Member
Alexandra Staub, Committee Member - Keywords:
- Policy and Design
Single-family Housing
Zoning
Architecture
Changing Living Situations
Multigenerational Living Arrangements
Shared Living Arrangements
Community Planning - Abstract:
- American society is aging, is more culturally diverse than ever before, and what was once considered to be the traditional American family, parents and two children, is also changing. While these demographic shifts will have major impacts on all aspects of U.S. society, this thesis asks what impact they will have on the built environment, specifically housing. Throughout modern American history, the attainment of the “American Dream,” a single-family house and yard located in the suburbs, has defined the American landscape. Housing design has not adapted to current domestic needs, and current zoning laws disrupt the natural ebb and flow of household demographics by restricting land-use by household type and preventing integration of various sizes and styles of housing. This thesis analyzes current trends and recent changes in U.S. demographics; literature on multigenerational and shared living; and the ways policy hinders adaptation of housing and communities for multigenerational and shared living. Based on these analyses, and a case study in York, Pennsylvania, this thesis will then propose potential adaptations of zoning regulations, community planning, and single-family housing to acknowledge multigenerational and shared living arrangements.