Cluster Housing Explained It’s origin, Benefits and Forms

Source- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Cul-de-sac_to_Honeycomb.jpg

Cluster housing refers to a development in which the houses are arranged in relatively close groups, while the large open spaces in the development form a buffer zone with adjacent land uses. This is often done through small plots, with the rest of the land becoming the middle ground. The concept of cluster subdivision, sometimes called nature reserves, can also be adapted to suburban or even urban environments where a large vacant lot has been established.

History

In many ways, cluster development has been practiced since the earliest churches of the Middle Ages. However, it was only formalized as a modern concept with the onset of urban sprawl in the suburbs and the ubiquity of single-family home development. The idea of developing a cluster was created as an alternative to the conventional subdivision.

Source- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Radburn_Cellular_Street_Pattern.jpg

The first conscious application of cluster development was in Radburn, New Jersey, in 1928. It was based on the English planning and Garden City movement of Ebenezer Howard, but used the principles of cluster development. After Radburn, many other cities in New Jersey applied these principles to their planning, including the Green Village in Hillsborough, New Jersey, and Brunswick Hill in south Brunswick.

The primary benefits of Cluster development pattern are:

Adjacent open spaces are good practices for agriculture, conservation, and wildlife habitat or outdoor recreation or forest for walking.

Consolidating homes will reduce the initial investment in roads, paths and utility lines, as well as the cost of maintaining and replacing public sector infrastructure.

Relatively close to the neighbours means that you are more likely to get to know neighbours and develop a feeling of caring community.

There are several different design features in cluster development, including: consideration of natural features / topography, reduced lot size, use of dead ends and use of certain waste management techniques / rainwater.

In addition to the site design, the design features of the wastewater / rainwater management are an essential aspect of the cluster development. By maximising water flow over land and strategically using land forms and plants to slow, contain, and treat runoff, most rainwater can be treated. In addition, there are many options for wastewater treatment. Techniques such as municipal drainage fields, irrigation systems and conditioning systems can significantly reduce infrastructure costs and improve the environment.

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Types of Cluster Housing Forms

Back-to-Back Clusters – These types of clusters are formed when the units are joined together in a row or from the sides.

Closed Clusters – These are the types of clusters that share access to an open cluster space.

Cul-de-sac Cluster – These are the types of clusters that form when there are units along a pedestrian or vehicle dead end path.

Independent Clusters – These are the types of clusters that arise when the building unit is surrounded by streets on all four sides, regardless of whether they are pedestrians or vehicles.

Inter locking cluster – Cluster when they are connected at the back and sides to at least one side of a common cluster and have residential units that open to or have access to adjacent clusters. The enclosures of these clusters must have at least two sides that are open to an open exterior space. Homes in a nested cluster may have access, ventilation, and light from the adjacent cluster and should “respond to future growth” as well.

Open Clusters – These are the types of clusters that form when the open spaces of clusters are connected into one contiguous open space.

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