Sharing cities with the future: How concerned are young Montrealers today about the implications of their residential choices for future generations?

Abstract

Residential preferences for single-family homes are a key driver of urban sprawl. Using a stated-preference survey among university students in Montreal, we explored how participants’ residential preferences are related to their perceptions of urban sprawl and intergenerational justice. A surprisingly large proportion of participants knew very little about urban sprawl. Preference for single-family homes was not particularly pronounced. Preferences for suburban and urban housing options were similarly strong. Evidence was insufficient to conclude that perceptions of urban sprawl were associated with housing choices, but results indicated promising avenues for further research. Residential preferences were more strongly related to perceptions of future urban sprawl than current urban sprawl. Participants were equally concerned about their own futures and those of future generations, and both concerns were associated with residential preferences. Individuals are open to more sustainable housing options. It will be crucial to increase awareness among landowners, developers, urban planners, and renters about the intergenerational significance of housing choices.