CDPs are an overlooked component of the metropolitan region, and add to the understanding of the region as a whole. Large CDPs that remain unincorporated have other forms of governance, either public or private. CDPs are equivalent to incorporated places in many ways, but have distinctive differences based on state and region. Large CDPs have reasons for not incorporating. A subset of these CDPs that are similar to Boomburbs are examined. Implications for planners regarding CDP existence are discussed. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone / This Capstone looks into the aspects of planned communities that are successful in reducing the need for automobile usage among residents. / The goal of this study is to assess automobile use in sustainably developed communities and note the ways in which these communities successfully reduce the need for personal automobiles. In response to research about the environmental and health effects of urban sprawl, developers have pushed for sustainably developed communities. These master plan communities follow particular guidelines and set goals to alleviate their effect on the environment and help reduce the negative effects of sprawling development. Because auto-dependency is a sign of sprawl, it is important that these communities develop in such a way that reduce citizens’ reliance on personal automobiles. This study will examine three separate master planned communities in the Tucson region and assess how each one addresses the issue of automobile usage, examining common factors between the different communities and what factors make these communities successful. This study found that several factors are important in reducing automobile use. These examples of successful development will potentially help future communities be successful in reducing automobile usage.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of family-recreation amenities to home valuation in Southern Arizona communities. Although recreation amenities have become a frequent addition to housing developments, little research exists regarding the value these amenities contribute to home valuation. The sample consisted of 600 homes in master-planned communities and 600 homes in comparable traditional subdivisions. Using the hedonic pricing method, this study examined whether the inclusion of recreation amenities provides additional value to homes after structural and locational characteristics were controlled for. Blocked multiple regression analyses were used to determine the contribution of both individual and bundled recreation amenities to home valuation. The results of this study revealed a positive significant relationship between the bundle of community parks, neighborhood parks, and trails located within master-planned communities and home valuation, accounting for 17.45% of home value in this sample. In addition, the inclusion of family-recreation programming was found to contribute 6.82% of home value within master-planned communities. The findings suggest the inclusion of recreation amenities may be an appropriate way to revitalize communities, to increase the tax base for new housing developments, and to attract residents during a time of economic recession.

Older Australians walk for many reasons: health, recreation and transport. However, road safety statistics show that pedestrians over 65 represent one-third of Australia's pedestrian deaths. As Australia's population ages in place and older people take up a walking regime for health and transportation reasons, they need a supportive suburban setting. Urban design theories discuss such "pedestrian-friendly" concepts as sense of place, sense of community, responsive environments, traditional neighbourhood design, transit-oriented development, and crime prevention through environmental design. To investigate these concepts in relation to older pedestrians, this study brings together two areas of literature - research into older pedestrians in relation to urban design theories. Qualitative research methods were used in two case studies, to reveal how older people's interpretation of their local walking environment relates to urban design theories concerning walkable suburbs. The two Brisbane suburbs of Bulimba and Forest Lake were chosen for study, as they have different histories, topographies, street patterns, and other variations. Analysis of key themes gathered from two focus group discussions, one from each suburb, revealed the significance for participants of social interaction when walking for health. A photographic exercise performed by the Forest Lake focus group provided pictorial information for analysis, and revealed participants' interest in the lake's fauna and flora, and in its ongoing maintenance. The study was limited by an unforeseen failure to obtain the cooperation of the Bulimba group in the photographic exercise. In support of the claims made in the literature review, it seems that when older pedestrians walk through suburban streets, they avoid steep hills, busy roads, and intersections where possible, and require footpaths with even surfaces and shelters. When walking for health reasons, participants in this study did not favour local streets, but preferred "natural" places designed exclusively for walkers. Forest Lake participants stated a preference for driving to places they deemed suitable for walking, which suggests a need for more detailed design attention to the urban design qualities of local streets, so that those older people without cars are not disadvantaged.