The higher-density housing agenda and the ‘urban renaissance’ Available to Purchase

This paper reviews the trend towards higher-density housing development. It seeks to put arguments about ‘density’ in the particular context of the towns and cities of the British Isles. The government is rightly concerned to get the most out of our stock of land and buildings, and has coupled this with the revival—the ‘renaissance’—of our cities and towns. There are real tensions and difficulties as a result; but we do have tools and models of good practice to help us achieve both the quantity and quality of development sought. More than ever before, this will mean intelligent, sympathetic joint working by all professionals whose work affects the built environment.