Shaping compact cities for liveability, affordability and sustainability

Abstract

Rapid urban population and territorial growth is becoming a general trend across the world, driving planning policies to promote a more compact city. As an alternative to sprawling patterns of urban development, the compact city emerges as a spatial form characterized by three key elements: densification, connectivity and accessibility. All three are articulated by transit-oriented development (TOD) strategies in today’s urban context. TOD aims to encourage densification, mixed land uses, walkability and public transportation, as well as vertical housing typologies. There are now many examples around the world in which TOD has influenced the verticalization of the city, and we can expect further translations into other contexts. Auckland and Jakarta have too chosen the TOD strategy, incorporating vertical housing, to slow down the sprawl. But citizens are concerned about the quality of life in high-rise, higher density housing, as well as its price. We make a comparative assessment of TOD’s ability to achieve liveability, sustainability and affordability in two cities – Jakarta and Auckland – while using Singapore as a benchmark for both. Two case studies have shown that some of the residents’ complaints are justified. In the conclusion of the study we suggest improvements in planning and design strategies and produce further recommendations for an effective city transformation.