DRAFT VERSION, PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE

For some decades governments in Europe, the US and Australia promote compact city concepts, to achieve more sustainable patterns of travel and reduce energy use. For over 30 years spatial planning policies of the Dutch government are aimed at implementing compact urbanization in various forms. In contrast to the promoted high density urban living by the government, consumers ask for more spacious, green residential environments. This obviously leads to a tension between governmental policy and consumers ’ housing preferences. This paper is written from a resident’s perspective. It aims at providing a deeper understanding of why people prefer to live in a city centre, suburban or rural type of residential environment. This might show how possible trade-offs between urban (high density) living and more spacious, green living could be made. A survey among 659 people living in the Netherlands reveals that people prefer to live in a city centre for the accessibility of its amenities. People who would prefer to live in a rural area mentioned many diverse reasons, varying from peace and quiet to the character of the residential environment, social contacts and tradition. People who prefer a suburban type of residential environment want both proximity to city centre amenities and a quiet residential environment. Remarkably, the data show also many similarities in the use and meanings of city centre, suburban and rural types of residential environment. For example, for all people the residential environment should be a place where they can relax, forget about their work and enjoy life. Taking into account the differences and similarities in the use and meaning of the three types of residential environment, one might argue that on the one hand access to amenities and on the other hand a quiet, green residential environment are the crucial trade-offs from a resident’s perspective