The purpose of this monograph is twofold. First, it examines the state of existing knowledge on the concept and measurement of neighborhood quality. Second, it considers the validity of that knowledge, and the degree to which it can be useful in formulating public policy. The format for this examination is a critical review of the literature on neighborhoods. Such a review necessitates our considering definitions for the terms "neighborhood" and "neighborhood quality;" synthesizing a scattered array of knowledge regarding the nature of neighborhood quality (i.e., its causes and consequences for individual and social well-being); and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of various methodological strategies used in examining neighborhoods.

This report is part of the collection of scanned historical documents available to the public.