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Abstract
The rising rates of loneliness and isolation in the developed world appear to be creating a growing public health problem. One way to combat this issue is to strengthen social ties among neighbors. To further this end, this thesis explores the potential of a certain type of small-scale residential development to increase social interaction among neighbors. Specifically, it attempts to identify the outdoor design elements that have the greatest effect on promoting social interaction among residents within cottage clusters. As a concurrent goal, this thesis develops useful guidelines to promote social interaction in such developments. To establish useful guidelines, case studies are conducted on existing developments in the southeastern United States that share cottage cluster features. In addition to an interdisciplinary literature review, interviews with designers, planners, and real estate professionals help further refine the guidelines. The guidelines are subsequently tested on a cottage cluster under development in Athens, Georgia