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Metabolic suburbs, or the virtue of low densities

Author(s):
Medium: journal article
Language(s): English
Published in: arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, , n. 1, v. 16
Page(s): 9-13
DOI: 10.1017/s1359135512000243
Abstract:

The ‘Compact City’ model of sustainable development relies almost exclusively on transport energy analysis to justify the raising of low residential densities by the insertion of higher density dwellings within them. Higher densities mean more people per hectare, which makes public transport more economically viable, which cuts down on car use, which saves transport energy. Suburbs are very popular, however - over 80% of the populations of the UK and the US would prefer to live in them - and they can't all be bulldozed or ‘densified’. Turning the Compact City model on its head frees us to ask what environmentaladvantageslow densities might have. Most suburbs have abundant open land, and land can perform: grow food and fuel, collect and recycle water, modify harsh microclimates, save and generate energy. The ‘performative’ potential of the suburban landscape can transform it into a grown infrastructure contributing to the reduction of the overall environmental impact of a city region, justifying its relatively low densities.

Structurae cannot make the full text of this publication available at this time. The full text can be accessed through the publisher via the DOI: 10.1017/s1359135512000243.
  • About this
    data sheet
  • Reference-ID
    10355289
  • Published on:
    13/08/2019
  • Last updated on:
    13/08/2019
 
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