Which planner is associated with the Neighborhood Unit concept?

• A. Clarence Perry
• B. Lawrence Veiller
• C. Jane Jacobs
• D. Le Corbusier

Answer: (A)

The idea is to create a self-contained, walkable neighborhood anchored by a central element that serves the community—typically a school. Clarence Perry proposed organizing a neighborhood around about five thousand residents within a defined boundary, so daily needs—education, recreation, shops—are reachable on foot. The plan emphasizes a clear neighborhood boundary, a school at the center, and a street layout that prioritizes safety and local circulation, reducing through traffic while fostering community ties. This combination—scale, boundary, central school, and walkability—defines the Neighborhood Unit and is why Clarence Perry is the planner most associated with it.

Other planners are known for different concepts: Lawrence Veiller focused on housing reform and tenement improvements; Jane Jacobs celebrated street-level vitality, mixed-use and dense, diverse neighborhoods; Le Corbusier advocated the Radiant City model with towers and large-scale modernist planning.