Compacting the city centre: densification in two Newcastles

Bob Giddings,Robert Rogerson

doi:10.5334/bc.74

Abstract

The compact city and the associated process of densification have attained almost hegemonic status as a sustainable urban form. Seeking to counteract the negative impacts of sprawl, urban densification has usually focused on areas beyond the city centre. However, a renewed attraction of the urban core is altering patterns at a time when other trends, including the decline of retailing and commercial activity, are also changing demands for space in the city centre. This paper investigates different approaches to the use of urban densification as part of strategies for the regeneration of the city centre. Drawing on two case studies—Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK and Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia—it considers the different mechanisms by which city authorities and their development partners are seeking to densify the city centre, and examines the tensions created by the process in these two contexts. In addition to document analysis, data are derived from symposia based in both cities as part of the future of the city centre project led by the authors. Contributors included representatives from local government, non-government organisations, business and community groups. The outcome is an appraisal of contrasting approaches to the densification of city centres. Policy relevance Coherence of city form and consistency throughout the city centre are important objectives, and great differences in density disturb this unity. The city centre is not a project, but a continuous process. Thus, it benefits from fine grain developments on the principle of a rich built environment being generated through small contributions by numbers of people over time. A concept is proposed that densification has positive outcomes up to a point at which negative effects begin to occur. Density is readily measured, but the question remains where the balance point is for each city. There is also a notion that negative impacts may occur before a stipulated density is realised. Support is needed to develop a virtual city model for all cities, and funding to advance city information modelling for all aspects of sustainability, to encourage optimum levels of densification to be achieved.

Highlights

While the drive towards more compact cities and urban densification as an alternative to continuing urban sprawl may have achieved almost hegemonic status amongst planners and policy-makers, the process is not without its downsides. McFarlane (2016) notes that density has often been cast as a solution not just to urban issues and for global concerns about climate change and sustainability, and has been viewed as central to fostering economic growth
The future of a sustainable city centre may be as much about culture, governance and digital technology as it is about the established pillars of environment, economy and society
In considering densification of the city centre, there is a need to move away from notions of dichotomies associated with urban sprawl and intensification to more nuanced assessments of the benefits and drawbacks of denser urban activities

Summary

Introduction

While the drive towards more compact cities and urban densification as an alternative to continuing urban sprawl may have achieved almost hegemonic status amongst planners and policy-makers, the process is not without its downsides. McFarlane (2016) notes that density has often been cast as a solution not just to urban issues and for global concerns about climate change and sustainability, and has been viewed as central to fostering economic growth. Strong arguments are made that densification provides social benefits, encouraging social connections, networks and fostering social capital; and providing a means to help address social inequalities. Set against these positives, dense patterns of living and working have their own negative effects, creating what de Roo (2000) terms the dilemma of the compact city. Neuman (2005) argues that high density is neither necessary nor sufficient to develop a sustainable city He terms it the compact city fallacy, underscoring that the goal of sustainability may not be achieved solely by city form. In the debate over sprawl versus densification, the processes operating in the city centre are often overlooked as the gaze focuses on changes in suburban areas (Harrison et al 2020)

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