Urban Consolidation and Urban Sprawl: A question of density

Abstract

The political prominence of urban issues includes a major set of debates about consolidation, sprawl and the provision of infrastructure at the urban fringe. Whilst recognising the complexity of these issues the paper is limited to a focus on the extent to which increased residential densities can help consolidation and restrain sprawl. Analysis of the relationship between densities and total land demand shows that higher nett residential densities contribute very little to the restraint of sprawl. Attention is drawn to possible inadequacies in policy research and the rhetorical value of emphasising density debates.