The EFCL’s September 25th Family Friendly multi-unit Housing Workshop got people talking about appropriate housing for families with children as we build a more compact city and redevelop our mature neighbourhoods. Thirty seven workshop participants discussed why it was important for higher density housing to accommodate families with children, what would make multi-unit housing “family friendly”, and how we can promote more family-friendly infill housing..
Participants emphasized the importance of private outdoor space for families, a space large enough for families to eat together, grow plants and preschoolers to play under the watchful eye of an adult. The private outdoor space may be fairly small; some said it could be as small as 30m2 for households with 2 children, and even as small as 15m2 for one child households, if there is adjacent common outdoor space shared with other units. To be considered a secure play space, the common amenity area must be fenced or within a courtyard and be within visual and audio surveillance of the units.
There was also a general consensus that to be family friendly the dwelling units must have superior soundproofing of floors and walls, there must be in suite and out-of-suite storage space, laundry facilities, and at least 2 bedrooms with the flexibility to create 3 bedrooms.
Discussion also focused on the long term vision for family friendly housing. This has to include flexibility in design so that families can continue to live in the housing as they grow and change. For example, a two bedroom unit should be designed so that it can easily be made into a three bedroom unit, and recreation spaces should be able to be transformed into spaces for children of all ages and adults. This attention to the lifecycle of families will mean greater stability for families and communities.
Another common theme in the discussions was the need for diversity in unit designs to accommodate diversity in family sizes and income levels.
Participants reviewed a summary of family/child-oriented housing guidelines used in other cities and were asked what was missing. Given Edmonton winters, many felt common indoor amenity spaces for gatherings and recreation should be available. Ideally the indoor common amenity space would be large enough for gatherings of the building occupants; however some participants thought large indoor facilities were unnecessary, while one cautioned, “We have to take care that we do not create inward looking family friendly complexes that are so self-sufficient with large common outdoor and indoor amenity spaces that they do not connect to the community”.
A few people mentioned that attention to lighting was missing from the draft family friendly guidelines. Given our dark winter nights, some participants recommended motion sensitive lighting in play areas for ease of surveillance. They also wanted exterior lighting that did not shine into windows so residents could keep their curtains open at night to keep “eyes on the street”.
The EFCL welcomes suggestions from its members about family-friendly, multi-unit housing.
Also, please contact the EFCL for an update on meeting times for a group that is promoting family-friendly infill housing guidelines.