URBAN SUSTAINABILITY – GLOBAL SPRAWL BUILDING DENSITY AND RESIDENTIAL PROXIMITY

Residential density is directly related to environmental sustainability if we consider the amount of green field sites appropriated to be further subdivided and developed.

Only certain residential density and proximity create a trigger for all supportive services for comfortable living such as basic: power, water, gas, phone and at the other end schools, medical care, shops, entertainment…

RESIDENTIAL PROXIMITY AS DIRECT INFLUENCER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS

“Coexisting desire for autonomy and community… a place of repose as well as a place of activity. When we find ourselves in love with a particular neighbourhood or city, the reasons sometimes escape articulation.

It takes three basic design principals to make it right

• Build to the side walk
• Make building fronts permeable
• Prohibit parking in front of the buildings (all opposite current Australian Planning requirements)

When we follow these rules, we end up with the kind of urban environment that renews our spirits rather than drains us, city that is safe, stimulating and convenient.

We are unaware of the influences poor built form has on our social interactions creating loneliness, depression, alcoholism, and lack of community interactions, supervision, and participation in our lives. Furthermore, entire communities become undesirable and create poor rapport at the real-estate and property valuation.

So lack of good design decisions and strategic planning support of our cities is detrimental to the social outcomes of people inhabit poorly design suburbs.