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Pocket Neighborhood: what is it?
This concept, imagined by American architect Ross Chapin, responds to a growing desire for more sustainable and convivial lifestyles. Typically, between 5 and 8 homes are grouped together in a small cluster around common spaces. These clusters are integrated into a larger residential neighborhood, creating an environment where residents share values of conviviality, sustainability and solidarity, and encourage healthy, environmentally-friendly living.
The first piece of good news is that pocket neighborhoods help reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. More compact and better insulated, these homes consume less energy. By favoring eco-friendly materials, these eco-neighborhoods reduce their environmental impact. And since everything is designed to encourage walking and cycling, even the car becomes almost optional.
But eco-neighborhoods aren't just about ecology: they're also about safety. Houses are surrounded by a common space, such as a large courtyard or shared garden, encouraging natural supervision. Here, young and old share moments in harmony. Children play outside in peace, while neighbors exchange a few words while clearing the snow or keeping an eye on the younger ones.
The beating heart of these neighborhoods is their common spaces. Whether it's a barbecue, a greenhouse or a simple garden area, these places quickly become the scene of numerous social interactions. People gather to garden, chat or share a picnic in summer. These spaces are more than just practical: they forge links, make everyday life more lively and create a genuine community spirit.
This type of eco-neighborhood fosters genuine neighborhood relations based on solidarity. In a pocket neighborhood, helping one another becomes a natural reflex. As the seasons go by, opportunities to cooperate multiply: in winter, we clear the driveways together, while in spring, we get together to sow seeds in the shared garden. Each collective gesture contributes to forging strong, lasting bonds between residents.
Ultimately, a pocket neighborhood is much more than just a group of houses: it's a new way of living together. A life where the environment is respected, where neighbors look out for each other, and where each season brings its own opportunities to get together. Whatever the season, these neighborhoods reinvent the art of living together.
This innovative type of housing, where people are at the heart of the concept, promotes quality of life for its inhabitants. At Belvedair, we firmly believe in this vision of tomorrow's habitat: concepts where functional design and eco-responsibility combine to create living spaces that are both humane and innovative. Inspired by these best practices, we strive to imagine environments that promote sustainability, safety and conviviality, while meeting the current needs of Quebec families. For us, these neighborhoods are much more than a trend: they embody the future of a respectful way of life focused on collective well-being.
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