Analysis of the Built Environment of Manufactured Housing Communities in Tucson, Arizona

Abstract

This study will analyze the built environments of three large, manufactured housing communities in Tucson, Arizona. The three communities were chosen using existing research of manufactured housing density in Pima County. With the implementation of a rating system incorporating aspects of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the SITES Rating system, the three communities were assessed on several criteria, each on a scale of one to five. The essential problem that the built environment of manufactured communities face is an abundance of asphalt and a lacking green open space and shading. The research question being posed will determine which of the three manufactured communities suffers the most from an abundance of concrete and asphalt. From the analysis, it was determined that two of the manufactured communities, Plaza del Sol and Country Club Manufactured Housing Community, were given the same assessment from the rating system that was utilized to answer the research question. Given the limited rights residents in these communities have over land ownership, it is often challenging to achieve green infrastructure practices in these communities to promote more shading and green open space.