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Under the radar? ‘Soft’ residential densification in England, 2001–2011

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  • Peter Bibby
  • John Henneberry
  • Jean-Marie Halleux

Abstract

Urban compaction policies have been widely adopted in developed countries in pursuit of more sustainable cities. Compactness is achieved through a process of ‘densification’, of developing and using land and buildings more intensively. However, empirical evidence on the processes and outcomes of urban densification is lacking. The paper addresses this lacuna. It considers densification in England, a country that has long experience of applying policies of urban containment and consolidation; and one where new data sources allow the analysis of recent land use change at a level of detail not hitherto possible. In England between 2001 and 2011, the bulk of additional dwellings were accommodated within urban areas, increasing their density. Yet, there were wide inter- and intra-regional variations in the pattern of densification: for example, in the contributions of large scale, formal development and of small scale, informal, gradual change – of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ densification – to the process. The significant differences in local experiences of densification that result raise major issues for policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Bibby & John Henneberry & Jean-Marie Halleux, 2020. "Under the radar? ‘Soft’ residential densification in England, 2001–2011," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 47(1), pages 102-118, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirb:v:47:y:2020:i:1:p:102-118
    DOI: 10.1177/2399808318772842
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric Charmes & Roger Keil, 2015. "The Politics of Post-Suburban Densification in Canada and France," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 581-602, May.
    2. Anastasia Touati-Morel, 2015. "Hard and Soft Densification Policies in the Paris City-Region," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 603-612, May.
    3. Nicholas A. Phelps & Andrew M. Wood, 2011. "The New Post-suburban Politics?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 48(12), pages 2591-2610, September.
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