A Narrative Literature Review: What Is the Ideal Density for Environmentally Sustainable Urban Growth?

Abstract

Urban growth in the form of sprawl became a global planning problem in the 20th century. High urbanization rates in combination with low-density zoning regulations put additional pressure on growing cities. Sprawl continues to generate negative social, environmental, and economic impacts. The results of 20 studies presented in this narrative review, which observe the change in urban form over time, indicate that the current urban growth form is sprawl. Compact urban form is considered a sustainable form of urban growth in the literature. The results of 10 studies on the correlation between the urban form and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions show that densification without provision of adequate access to public transportation will induce more traffic, congestion, and associated CO₂ emissions. The ideal density is subject to adequate access to public transportation—that is, mass transit-supportive density. Environmentally sustainable densities cannot deliver detached housing as a housing mode in many countries. International agreements on CO₂ emissions should be translated and implemented at the metropolitan and municipal levels of governance via tools that have statutory powers. Statutory instruments such as planning schemes, building codes, and planning and environmental acts incorporating precinct-sustainable assessment systems (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE, and Green Star) provide the opportunity to endorse sustainable density objectives.

Keywords:

• sprawl
• density
• compact urban form
• sustainable development
• transit

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Natalia Bliznina

Natalia Bliznina has 12 years of professional experience in architecture, consulting, and urban planning. She has participated in various complex international projects and has extensive experience in GIS mapping and analysis and land use policy writing and analysis. She is currently a Registered Member of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).