Design for Density

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Common public sensitivities to higher-density development and potential reasons to promote such development
• Approaches to framing density discussions to build consensus for action
• Differentiate “good density” from “bad density” and recognize essential density thresholds needed to support key amenities and frequent transit service
• Confront the issues of critical mass
• Design techniques to shape development density in a way that advances community goals and aspirations such as livability, sustainability, and affordability

MORE SESSION DETAILS

As city planners across the United States and abroad encourage development models to spur economic growth, fund infrastructure enhancements, improve quality of life, and restore environmental integrity, density has emerged as a critical planning tool. Yet local communities are often (and understandably) wary of development intensification. For many, the very word "density" conveys the subtext of "Manhattanization." This interdisciplinary session will feature the perspectives of a physical planner (Allison Albericci), an urban designer (Amit Patel), an architect (Adrianne Steichen), and a housing advocate (Casius Pealer), each of whom incorporates advanced design methodologies in everyday practice. The panel will focus on specific design techniques to achieve dense development that advances community goals and aspirations like affordability, livability, sustainability, and community benefit. They will use pioneering case studies from the San Francisco Bay area, New Orleans, and elsewhere to demonstrate how trends in mixed-use, multi-family, transit-oriented neighborhood development are shaping more livable and inclusive communities. Participants will gain understanding of the key factors that differentiate "good density" from "bad density" as well as thresholds necessary to support amenities and services. They also will discover strategies to focus development conversations on community needs and benefits and approaches to framing discussions to build consensus for action.