CLUSTER

HOUSING

Submitted to
Dr. CHIDAMBARA SWAMY

URBAN

Submitted By :
V.V.KEERTHIKA (AC08UAR019)
R.VAHINI (AC08UAR038)
HOUSING - 9th sem

C
L
U
S
T
E
R
H
O
U
S
I
N
G

DEFINITION

Cluster homes can be constructed on flat, sloping or wooded sites

Dwellings grouped closely together to form relatively

and can accommodate ranch walk outs and larger homes not found

compact units. The space between clusters usually is

on other high density plans.

allocated to pedestrian circulation and cooperative

Therefore courtyard cluster homes are great for in-fill sites where

recreational use. This pattern normally results in a

building more expensive homes is desirable

higher density of land use than that of a conventional

CLUSTERED HOUSES - ARVADA, COLARADO

subdivision layout.

This concept has been designed with empty nesters in mind.

A bit like community living where a group of houses,

Bedrooms are located on the first floor in all models.

flats, or bungalows share a range of common facilities,

Full yard and exterior maintenance provides for a carefree lifestyle

such as pool, playground or gym etc.

in a single family clustered environment.

Cluster houses may be a group of terrace houses , semi

In this design, one house faces the street and the others face a

detached houses or bungalows .

private court.

Cluster houses share a small or wide array of

Some of the houses have a private patio on two sides.

facilities, depending on the development behind these

Easements and blank walls are used to create two private outdoor

cluster houses .

spaces for every home.

The most common facilities cluster houses enjoy are

a communal pool , gym and playground .
dwellings are grouped close together with a common

area left for recreation. In effect residents have

extremely small yards but can enjoy the large common
spaces.
Grouping home sites within a subdivision on
smaller lots than normal, with the remaining land used
as common areas.

CLUSTERED HOUSES - ARVADA, COLARADO

URBAN HOUSING - 9th sem

C
L
U
S
T
E
R
H
O
U
S
I
N
G

Residential cluster development is a means of permanently zoning ordinance, as well as basic information to anyone
protecting open space, rural character, and important curious about cluster development.
environmental resources in new housing developments, while It also provides background on how rural technologies can
still providing homeowners with good housing and landowners help preserve open space, protect environmental and cultural
with the opportunity to develop their property.

resources and enhance rural character.

This publication is the first in a series of four, all designed to This publication defines cluster development and gives an
help local officials, community leaders, developers and overview of the critical issues connected to it .

homeowners address the critical issues of residential cluster The second and third publications in the series describe the
development.
engineering and design of community wastewater treatment
and and storm water management systems for use in cluster
management of wastewater and storm water rural technologies.
developments .
These

issues

include

the

design,

use,

approval,

These technologies address people's legitimate concerns over They also provide a brief discussion of the current
the environmental degradation often associated with residential regulation and permitting requirements .
development in rural areas.

Management

issues

that

must

be

considered

and

By combining the use of rural technologies with cluster management structures that can be used when establishing
development design, local officials have another option when new cluster developments utilizing rural technologies are
developing their community.
addressed in the final publication .
But to make rural technologies and cluster development

possible, local officials need to incorporate new language into

local ordinances and comprehensive land use plans.
This series introduces the concepts for local officials
considering revisions to their local comprehensive plan and

URBAN HOUSING - 9th sem

C
L
U
S
T
E
R
H
O
U
S
I
N
G

BENEFITS OF CLUSTER HOUSING:

Development expense will be lower, and therefore housing affordability will improve.
The open space performs more valuable environmental functions if it is contiguous, including better absorption of air pollution,

greater filtering of rain water, and more uptake of greenhouse gas emissions.
Connected open space provides habitat for larger animals and a greater variety of animal and plant life than would be seen in the
same amount of open space parceled out into individual yards.
Groundwater recharge of the aquifer is more effective, because rain runs off much more slowly in woodlands, prairies, and other
natural environments than from rooftops, patios, and barns. Slowing down storm water runoff also is a form of flood prevention.
Joint community facilities can be developed. Examples might be a fishing lake, a vegetable garden, a swimming pool, an
implement storage shed, or a barn.

C
L
U
S
T
E
R

Sometimes the motivation for keeping a large percentage of an overall development parcel in a contiguous non-developed area
would be recreational. Maybe youre in a hunting-oriented community or have an unusual geological feature or spring youd like to
preserve and feature. Maybe you want trails through the woods.

URBAN HOUSING - 9th sem

H
O
U
S
I
N
G

HOW TO PROVIDE FOR CLUSTER HOUSING

If your area does not have zoning, or if by state law agricultural land is exempt from zoning, you may encourage cluster housing
simply by presenting workshops on the topic.
Also if you have any road-building or utility ownership powers, those can be used to encourage or give incentives for cluster
development as opposed to more linear patterns.
In areas with zoning, sometimes the first step for a developer or an interested government would be to see that a planned

development zoning classification is applied to the area or areas where cluster subdivisions would be appropriate.
A developer then must submit a detailed site plan, and those details are approved as part of granting the zoning classification.
In a well-drafted ordinance, criteria for approval of the PUD or PD are listed, but still there is an element of subjectivity and
judgment involved in what will be approved.

C
L
U
S
T
E
R

However, we think it's a better idea to write a separate cluster housing zoning district regulation, especially if your aim is to
promote conservation and to inhibit suburban sprawl.
This separate district regulation would give the town council more specific criteria related to conservation or recreation.
For example, you might require that 75% of the site remain undeveloped, meaning there would not be buildings, driveways,
patios, decks, or cultivated lawn areas in that preserved area.
Maybe that's too much; maybe 50% would be a big step forward in your environment.
That area essentially will become common ground, so you will want to have standards for requiring a homeowners association.

If want to retain some minimum lot sizes, you may do so. Some frontage on a public road, at least enough for a driveway, would
be highly desirable.
Often two to four houses have a sort of shared semi-circular driveway off the main road that serves as their primary access, with
only a short additional driveway back to individual garages.
Can have minimum setbacks from property lines for various types of buildings also.
Can have sign regulation, parking minimums or maximums, or anything else normally regulated within a zoning
ordinance.

URBAN HOUSING - 9th sem

H
O
U
S
I
N
G

CLUSTER HOUSING PROS:

There is excellent potential in capital appreciation .
Condo-style facilities are provided .
If you were to buy a house and build your own pool , jacuzzi , gym and hire security gaurds , it will cost you much more .
Not to mention the expenses maintaining them on your own .

CLUSTER HOUSING CONS :

Restrictions to faade reconstruction .
Alterations and additions are not allowed to the external faade , even if its a freehold development .
There will be maintenance fees payable due to the availability of common facilities , as well as 24-hr gated security .
As cluster houses are a group of houses , neighbours live in regular contact , day in , day out .
Such communal living is conductive in making cluster houses residents a vibrant social network .
Neighbours do look for one another in cluster houses .

Everyone knows everybody in these cluster houses .

As cluster houses residents are sizeably smaller , compared to that of a condominium development , it is easier to recognise a
neighbour .
This is perhaps one of the strongest plus point for cluster housing .

URBAN HOUSING - 9th sem

C
L
U
S
T
E
R
H
O
U
S
I
N
G