Densities

Abstract

Urban density is the level of concentration of buildings and people within a city and is a topic of much debate within urban studies for good reason. Density reduces the distances between people and the places we need to access; it generates intensity and amenity. Density also leads to congestion, lack of privacy and lack of open space - to loss of amenity. What is often missing is any clear understanding of what people mean when they use the word ‘density’. Do we mean concentrations of buildings or people? If it is buildings, then do we mean height, floorspace or ground coverage? If it is concentrations of people, then do we mean internal densities of floorspace per person or external densi..