Handling 'Superdensity'

In the coming age of "superdensity", planners and architects are going to have to rethink the way they plan new developments, according to a recent study.

1 minute read

July 15, 2007, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"More robust mechanisms are needed to manage the new breed of 'superdense' residential schemes across London and other big cities, according to a report by four architects."

"Recommendations for Living at Superdensity, written by HTA, Levitt Bernstein, Pollard Thomas Edwards and PRP, deals with the social problems associated with superdense development."

"The report says a category of superdense development ought to be created that is higher than 150 homes per hectare. This is the threshold above which applications used to be referred to the housing minister."

"While such schemes are becoming common, the authors conclude that planners lack the tools and experience to handle them. 'Guidelines are not equipped to deal with the issues that arise from such densities, and there is little evidence of a move to impose higher standards of management on developers as a prerequisite for approval.'"

FULL STORY: Population pressure: can Britain learn to live with Hong Kong-style housing?

Friday, July 13, 2007 in Building

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