Density, design and sustainable residential development
Date
2012
Authors
Sivam, A.
Karuppannan, S.
Editors
Lehmann, S.
Crocker, R.
Crocker, R.
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Book chapter
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Source details - Title: Designing for zero waste: consumption, technologies and the built environment, 2012 / Lehmann, S., Crocker, R. (ed./s), Ch.13, pp.267-283
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Abstract
There is a strong belief among many urban-development stakeholders that high density is the way to create sustainable development. In spite of this, people are generally in favour of low-density housing, with the implicit assumption that it has the capacity to improve the living environment. It is often assumed that high densities are inherently unpleasant, and that low densities are inherently good. However, it is quite likely that living conditions in high housing densities are better than in low-density areas, owing to design configuration. Density is important, but it cannot create social, economic and environmentally sustainable residential development alone. New design paradigms such as New Urbanism and 'smart growth' emerged during the 1980s and addressed the issue of sustainable development. Most stakeholders, however, still consider that density is responsible for creating sustainable development, which is partially true, but not entirely the case. The aim of this chapter is to examine the interrelationships between density, design and their roles in creating sustainable residential development. The method adopted in this study is exploratory in character. The study concludes that, to create sustainable residential development, density and design must fit together like hand and glove.
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Copyright 2012 Alpana Sivam and Sadasivam Karuppannan