What influences public acceptance of densification?
Densification is fundamental to urban planning and development but often encounters local resistance. A group of ETH researchers, including ISTP member Prof. David Kaufmann, have investigated factors that might influence public acceptance of densification.
Densifying existing settlements while containing urban sprawl is a key principle of urban development. This leads to various social benefits such as protecting undeveloped land, shorter transport routes, lower greenhouse gas emissions, creating and cultivating diverse neighbourhoods, and access to more social and cultural amenities. However, local resistance to densification projects is common for various reasons, such as traffic, noise, change to the neighbourhood character or loss of green space.
Kaufmann's research group found that affordable housing is one key factor influencing public acceptance of densification. The study also found that projects that are carbon neutral, have mixed residential and commercial spaces, or include inclusionary zoning, rent control, and participatory planning increase public acceptance of densification. However, they also noted that the closer a densification project is to the respondent's home, the lower their acceptance of densification.
To read more about this study, take a look at ETH's news article.