High densities in developing countries: a sustainable solution?

• Main Author: Dave, Seema
• Published: Oxford Brookes University 2008
• Subjects: 711
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.490504

Higher density developments are widely claimed to be important in achieving sustainable growth of cities in developed countries. Among many suggested urban forms, the highdensity 'compact city' 'model is claimed to be the most suitable model for such cities. Many Asian cities in developing countries are experiencing rapid urban growth due to their high economic growth rate. This causes many urban problems including the provision of housing and infrastructure while managing the physical scale and spread of urban growth and the plight of the urban poor. Can the high density compact city model provide a solution to sustainable growth of these cities which already have a higher concentration of people than cities in developed countries? This research aims to contribute to this gap in knowledge to establish the impact of urban densities on economic, social and environmental sustainability. Mumbai is taken as a case study to examine the relevance of high density compact form in delivering· sustainable' development in such cities in developing countries. Using quantitative methodology, 11 neighbourhoods with differing density and built-form were compared with the help of . I various indicators to measure their levels of social, economic and environmental sustainability. The research found clear evidence that most of the negative associations of density were related to perceptions of density rather than to physical densities. All the evidence taken together suggests that high density in itself is not a problem, but positive . impacts can be achieved if links between, built form, layout, design, minimum standard of living space and culturally acceptable amount of mix of uses are established. The research not only contributes to the much-needed debate about the potential relevance of the high density-compact city model by providing empirical evidence from Mumbai, but also provides tools and scope for further research, such as a comprehensive set of indicators for measuring social, economic and environmental sustainability as well as density and a methodological strategy for examining the relationship between density and sustainable development while taking into account various other factors affecting them. The findings are of increasing significance in addressing the serious contemporary issue of growth of the cities of developing countries, which is not only important to these cities, but also vital for global sustaina~ility, considering the Asia-Pacific region's growing shate in economic development and population size.