"Cookie Cutter Housing: Wrong Mix for Subdivisions" by Rick Harrison

1) In this article, the author is critical of how subdivisions are built. He says that they all have the same feel making them boring and not innovative. There is a very set recipe on how to build subdivisions, and it irks him that nobody wishes to challenge this recipe. The ordinance, as he calls this recipe, tells builders that houses should be 10 feet apart from each other, that they should be 20 feet from the curb, etc. These very finite instructions is what the author thinks have led to boring subdivisions and thus need to be changed. Unfortunately, the costs of a failed recipe in this case are extremely high especially given the housing market these days. Despite this though, the author still advocates exploring new recipes and is happy that he has found a supporter of his ideas.

2) I agree with the article in that many subdivisions are very boring. There is never anything exciting going on that people can take part in. It is rare that there are ever neighborhood events. It also is sad to drive through subdivisions where all the houses look almost identical. Uniqueness and innovation in housing always is fun to see and admire, so it is a shame when neither of this happens. I never realized that there was such a strict ordinance that designers and builders follow, but I agree with the author in that new options need to be explored. Urban sprawl and the development of subdivisions is certainly not a negative thing, and this exploration can make it even more positive. I believe that subdivisions are necessary because they offer a much different environment than the city. It is generally much safer in subdivisions, and it offers more privacy and freedom for people to do what they want. In the city, everything can seem crowded and there is little room for people to do things with their houses.

3) I do live in a subdivision, but I do not think the author's viewpoints apply to my neighborhood. My neighborhood has a pretty good variety in housing styles and design. There are houses of all sizes and colors. The landscaping is all different because the yards all have different sizes and shapes. There is a big hill in part of my subdivision, so this has led to a lot of variety in the architecture. One thing that is pretty prominent in my neighborhood is that many people seem to have an in-ground pool. I would not be one to complain about this though.