# Space-Saving Backyard Cottages Urban Sustainability and Smart Growth is the Goal of This Concept By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-07-09 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-sustainability References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3032633/slicker-city/the-next-big-thing-in-urban-planning-backyard-cottages) & [tandfonline](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17549175.2013.879453) When it comes to urban sustainability and city planning, scholar Jake Weggman hopes [backyard cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tetraone) will be the next big thing. Developed with Karen Chapple, the concept was recently published in the academic Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability in an article called Hidden Density in Single-Family Neighborhoods: Backyard Cottages as an Equitable Smart Growth Strategy. The benefits of building individual [micro-units on existing single family properties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cuozzo-company) include being inexpensive and quick to construct, not taking up much space and suiting [modern family dynamics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moongate) (for example: live-in grandparents and recent grads). If this strategy is implemented on a large scale over time in a metropolitan area, the result could be smart growth. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.4/10 - Popularity: 91% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Backyard Cottages:** Emerging trend for urban sustainability and living spaces with modern family dynamics create opportunities for sustainable materials and affordable housing solutions. - **Hidden Density:** Trend pushing for optimal utilization of backyard spaces could lead to innovation in smart city planning, sustainable materials, and building micro-unit living spaces. - **Equitable Smart Growth:** Growing trend for sustainable smart growth strategies that support multi-generational living arrangement could lead to increased demand for affordable, eco-friendly cottage kits for DIY enthusiasts. ### Where This Applies - **Real Estate:** The trend for backyard cottages could create disruptive innovation opportunities such as affordable, pre-fabricated, eco-friendly housing solutions for urban residents. - **Construction:** There are opportunities for disruptive innovation in the construction industry to optimize backyard spaces for building micro-unit living spaces that are affordable, eco-friendly, and quick to construct. - **Sustainable Materials:** The trend for backyard cottage construction could create opportunities for eco-friendly building materials and practices that are sustainable and affordable. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reinvented Compact Living](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-housing-prototype.md) - [Sustainable Smart Cottages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lg-smart-cottage.md) - [Garage-Converted Sustainable Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carlsbad.md) - [Compact Sustainable Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cabana.md) - [Adaptive Backyard Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-shack-1.md) - [Intergenerational-Catered ADUs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moongate.md) - [Spacious Backyard Studio Units](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-park-studio.md) - [Inversion Living Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-getaway.md) - [Dual-Workspace Backyard Sheds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/workshed.md)