Density and mixed use

The first feature of the compact city is the dense, multifunctional urban fabric. Density, however, is not an end in itself, and it is not the same as overcrowding — the point is that functions come close to one another, so that the everyday need to travel decreases.

1.The five advantages of density

The advantages of higher density are usually sorted into five groups. From an environmental point of view it uses less land, so more remains for natural or agricultural areas, and the pollution burden of car use decreases. From a transport point of view journeys become shorter, there is less congestion, and public transport operates more efficiently and economically. On an individual and social level it makes it easier for services — e.g. education, healthcare, culture — to establish themselves, and it supports the mobility of more vulnerable groups (e.g. the elderly, children, lower-income social groups).

In terms of physical infrastructure and urban form, economies of scale allow for better-quality construction and a more varied environment, while economically it reduces construction and maintenance costs — especially when density is paired with efficient public transport.

2.Density, but not overcrowding

To reach the desired density it is worth setting minimum and maximum values: the minimum prescribes the lower limit of a more compact city, while the maximum prevents density from turning into overcrowding. There is no universal number for these — the perception of density differs from region to region and from culture to culture, which is another reason why adaptation to local conditions matters.

3.The power of mixed land use

Alongside higher density, mixed land use is the other key factor in the urban fabric. Monofunctional areas increase the number and length of journeys, because residential, work, leisure and other functions inevitably end up farther from one another. The compact city does not think in terms of separate residential zones, office districts and shopping centres, but in terms of units where these functions appear mixed, within walking distance.

The speed and convenience of motor vehicles enable us to cover greater distances in a given amount of time. For this reason, if car use dominates in an area, destinations concentrate into points in space and move farther away from residents, so that in the end it takes more time to reach them, which puts those without a car at a particular disadvantage. With an efficient transport system and mixed land use, however, everyday destinations can easily be reached by sustainable modes of transport.