The advantages and disadvantages of a compact city and what does quality density mean? Well-planned mixed-use cities.
It is hard for us to imagine that the compact development of a city can have a positive effect, both in Bulgarian and global reality. When we talk about the city, the topic of density evokes contradictory reactions as a social and cultural phenomenon. In discussions in Bulgaria, the word is used negatively, associated with overdevelopment and evoking fantasies of fear and chaos. In the context of Sofia, overdevelopment and compact city carry an extremely negative connotation. The problems of overdevelopment in the capital have been palpable in recent decades and have even sparked civil protests against specific constructions in a number of the capital's neighbourhoods. Dissatisfaction is being transferred from specific cases to the understanding of dense development in general. This is, in fact, far from being a Sofia phenomenon alone. The discussion about compact cities is widespread in the global political, economic and social context. But what actually constitutes the density of a city? Urban density refers to the number of people that inhabit a given geographical unit. Contrary to the common notion, a compact city does not automatically mean high development. For example, in Europe, some of the densest cities are those with predominantly low development, such as Barcelona and Paris. Denser cities have the potential to be more productive, more innovative and more sustainable than cities spread over a wide area. This is the view of a growing number of urban theorists, experts and policymakers who argue that designing for density is critical if we are to create viable and prosperous cities. But despite its benefits, understanding and public advocacy for density is low: for many people, it automatically means crowded towers and a loss of privacy and personal space. Is there an ideal of "perfect density" that can become universally accepted?
Duplex Architekten's "More than a Dwelling" project combines a variety of social and residential functions
"Everyone seems to be convinced of density," says Lisette Van Doorn, CEO of the Urban Land Institute in Europe, "but there is still a lot of discussion about what it should look like. This is partly because density itself is not the goal. It's the means: whether to enable a growing city like London to meet the demands of the sharing economy or a declining city like Dresden to manage decline and integrate its population," she adds. The city's approach to density really depends on what we are trying to achieve. Most city dwellers want good public transport links and walkable neighbourhoods, but are often against dense development. Density is also often perceived as synonymous with the destruction of local character, which can't uniformly be taken that way either. Some of the densest urban cores in the world are known for their distinctive local character. These are so-called high-density, low-rise urban areas, such as the Eixample district in Barcelona and the West Village in New York.
The Eixample area in Barcelona is one of the most densely populated areas in Europe
The global experience of the world's most spectacular capitals shows that it is more important to focus not on how high to build, but on how to better distribute density across an area. One of the most effective solutions is to create multifunctional neighbourhoods where residents can live, work and play. According to Vishan Chakrabati, the founder of the New York City Office of Architecture and Urbanism, it is important to address the creation of different density zones in a city and connecting suburbs. With this polycentric model, saturated zones are avoided and urban functions are distributed in a balanced manner. Ensuring that these centres are multifunctional, well-connected by public transport, and with destinations that serve a mix of populations around the clock, is crucial for the zones to be successful. Quality density is complex to implement. It means equal access for all to urban infrastructure - public transit, parks, schools, shopping. Paris sets the standards in this development. Its metro network is so finely divided that no apartment is more than 500 metres from a metro station. Density is good when proximity in living together can be perceived by residents as a positive feature and added value. Therefore, the denser a city is, the greater its need for public spaces. These need not necessarily be limited to the ground level and can also be located on high floors and roofs of buildings.
An opera on the roof of a car park in Peckham, England
Of course, both in this country and around the world, there are, unfortunately, business initiatives that are solely profit-oriented and exploit urban areas in a way that causes public problems. This is purely quantitative development, which does not solve social issues. As Sofia grows, these issues are becoming topical for us, and we need to talk more about the quality of construction and the functions of the urban environment. What our city needs today is a discussion about quality density. How can we achieve a better quality of life that is created by everyone involved together in shaping the appearance of the city?
Author
Ina Valkanova is an architect with an interest in the processes that shape quality urban environments. Based between Zurich and Sofia, she is currently part of the Vision for Sofia team working on the long-term development strategy for Sofia and its suburban areas.