Incremental Urban Intensification: Transit-oriented Re-development of Small-lot Corridors

Abstract

The imperative to transform car-dependent cities for a low-carbon future requires that we engage with the challenge of increasing densities along existing road-based transit corridors – within the constraints of existing morphologies. Such corridors are often lined with small lots that are valued for their functional mix and urban character. This paper explores the degree to which small and narrow lots constrain urban intensification through a study of tram corridors in Melbourne. We examine the impact of site area, shape and access conditions as constraints on re-development and increased density. We find that small and narrow lots have not prevented intensification that is substantial in its accumulated effect and contributes more to urban character than large lot re-development. The paper discusses the relations of urban morphology to questions of car-dependency, development capacity and resident resistance.

要想把依赖汽车出行的城市变为将来的低碳城市，首先要在现有的城市形态下和现存基于 道路的出行走廊中，应对人口密度日益提高的挑战。这些出行走廊沿途通常是昂贵的、功 能齐全、具有都市特点的小块土地。我们通过研究墨尔本的电车路线，探索狭长的小块土 地如何限制了城市人口的密集化。我们主要关注小块土地的影响，及其如何构成制约再次 开发和人口密度提高的条件。我们发现狭长的小块土地并未阻碍对其具有重要的累积效应 的人口密集化，且比大面积再次开发项目更适合城市需要。本文探讨了城市形态与汽车依 赖、发展潜力和居民抵制的关系。

Keywords:

• Incremental
• intensification
• compact city
• transit-oriented
• morphology
• density
• lot-size
• urban character

Acknowledgement

We thank Elek Pafka for his critique of an early draft of this paper and assistance with the diagrams.