Friendly neighbors found in suburbs

People who reside in traditional small-town neighborhoods use their cars less than do individuals living in the suburbs, but they do not feel a stronger sense of community, maintains an Ohio State University, Columbus, study. The results suggest that the growing popularity of "neotraditional" developments--which are designed like small towns--fulfill only some of the claims of proponents.

They "may help residents rely less on their cars for transportation, but it won't have any impact on how close people feel to their neighbors," claims Jack Nasar, professor of city and regional planning.

His findings refute criticisms that suburbs are cold and sterile and alienate people from their neighbors. In both types of developments--traditional and suburban--residents generally felt a close sense of community,

"Critics attack suburbs as being cold and sterile, but that isn't necessarily the case," contends Nasar. "We found that suburban residents were quite friendly with each other and felt a part of their community."

Nasar points out that suburbs and traditional (or neotraditional) neighborhoods can be good places to live. "People should live in the kind of neighborhood that appeals to them. Neotraditional neighborhoods do have certain efficiencies that suburbs don't have--they may promote less auto use and more walking. But suburbs also have many good qualities, and the residents are neighborly to each other."

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