Compact Cities: The Future of Urban Development?

By Chikita Nigam, Environmental Studies ‘25

Spread-out houses with neat lawns and silent streets tucked away from busy urban sprawl is a concept that has dominated our landscape since the 1950s. However, this uncontrolled urban expansion is associated with high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, excess energy consumption, overreliance on cars, poor social connections, and marginalizing the poor. To tackle the issues linked to low-density urban living, we should consider transitioning towards the development of compact cities. While relatively controversial, building compact cities could address many of the problems posed by urban sprawl.

High-density residential living and mixed land use are the cornerstones of the compact city model. Residential buildings, commercial complexes, and cultural/institutional centers can be found together in smaller spaces–increasing the proximity between people, their workplaces, public green spaces, and other goods and services. This compactness reduces reliance on personal vehicles, as walking or using public transportation becomes a better option than driving. Not only does this cut down on GHG emissions related to cars, but it also enables an active lifestyle and increased social cohesion. Additionally, compact settlements tend to be more energy-efficient than sparsely populated areas, as they can benefit from local combined heat and power systems. In such systems, thermal energy generated as a byproduct of electricity can be used for heating instead of being wasted. This decreases energy demands and associated GHG emissions.

Compact cities also offer two main social benefits. First, they create close-knit communities where people can have more interactions due to shared common spaces. Second, they can promote socioeconomic equity. In neighborhoods where people of diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds live in close proximity, the sharing of common resources becomes a powerful force. This not only diminishes segregation but also encourages the integration of marginalized groups, protecting them from social alienation and providing a vital safety net. Building social connection can be especially helpful during natural disasters when people rely the most on their communities for support. This becomes even more important when we consider the impact of climate change on the frequency and severity of natural calamities.

Despite their numerous advantages, compact cities are still somewhat controversial. Many people are opposed to the idea of living in densely populated areas, where they do not have access to large open spaces. One way to address this issue is through “transit-oriented development,” which has multiple densely populated nodes connected via public transport routes, offering easy access to open spaces. Adequate planning for communal green spaces, such as parks and community gardens can also help address this problem.

Our current way of living is unsustainable, and land use is a big part of it. If we are to live in a world threatened by environmental problems, we must embrace the ideas that offer a sustainable and arguably better model of living.