The integration of mobile home parks and existing residential neighbourhoods : a case study in Greater Victoria
Date
1976
Authors
Sarker, Pijush Kanti
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Abstract
In recent years, the mobile home has emerged as an inexpensive, alternative form of housing. Its increasing popularity has resulted in the development of numerous mobile home parks of both good and poor quality, but usually situated in poorly planned urban fringe areas. Mobile home parks are essentially residential neighbourhoods, therefore, careful attention must be paid to physical and community factors in their development. In this study an attempt is made to analyze location criteria and to recommend suitable locations for mobile home parks designed in harmony with conventional housing.
Data and information were obtained through a questionnaire survey of the mobile home park managers in Greater Victoria, and by interviewing the planning officials and people concerned with the mobile home industry. Government regulations, municipal zoning by-laws and local newspapers also were consulted as sources of information.
The early chapters deal with the advantages of this new form of accommodation and explain the government regulations and their influence on the present condition and distribution of mobile home parks in Greater Victoria. A following chapter analyzes the important physical and community factors which should be considered for proper location of mobile home parks. A technique for objective evaluation is proposed, using rating indexes for each factor. The computed average value at a particular site indicates its potentiality for mobile home park development. In the next chapter the technique is applied and eight potential mobile home park sites are identified and ranked, finally, it is recommended that, in view of the present demand for mobile homes and mobile home parks, and in order to offer equality of opportunity in the use of public services, government regulations should be revised and municipalities should not only accept mobile home parks, but also through careful planning, should incorporate mobile home parks into existing residential areas.