The Australian quarter acre block: the death of a dream?

Abstract

The right to a backyard barbecue, swimming pool and ample space for ball games is a cherished aspect of the Australian suburban dream. This is exemplified in the concept of the quarter acre block as the required standard for all. However, rising land prices, a demographic shift away from the nuclear family and the imperatives of sustainability and climate change may stand in opposition to this utopian ideal. As Australian cities plan for increased density and urban consolidation, it is appropriate to question the continued currency of the quarter acre block. A survey of four suburbs in Adelaide, South Australia, investigates householders' preferences for a range of physical design factors including block size and garden availability. The results of the survey provide important evidence for policy makers at a time when radically new forms of housing in the form of apartments and transit-oriented developments are increasingly evident in Australian cities.