Preference differences for small town residential development in southern Ontario

This study investigates which physical and spatial attributes of small town residential development are preferred by new and long-term residents. Ten study participants were asked to take part in a photographic interview. Participants looked at 21 photographs and described what they liked and disliked, then Q-sorted a subset of nine photos into piles considered best, neutral and least good for the town of Baden. Long-term residents preferred photographs of scenes that suggested higher social status, whereas new residents preferred photographs that displayed certain physical attributes of neighbourhoods, such as spacing, properties and roads. Overall, there was a strong dislike for overhead wires, inadequate landscaping, tight house spacing, and repetitive house design. In order to achieve broader support for upcoming small town residential development, it would be beneficial to incorporate the preferred features of both long-term and new residents, and eliminate those that are disliked.