![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_empty.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=151&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=38b7681c5f5df3c8570c21688aa6d352 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_empty.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=302&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=fd97addde4a66b1514246725dcd2affe 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_empty.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=552&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=a47fd208fd092f3fdc2109431a46f483 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_empty.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=736&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=3e1528834232c308fa3ba6d9a4c9a3b1 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_empty.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1006&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=1566cccb3f8f000d5c57f844a1ed947b 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_empty.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1149&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=a130d03989fd8c7886a41624ec91c757 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_empty.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1379&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=a0500d81b81acbe9bc2af38dfdafe097 1920w)
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_full.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=156&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=88de64202d18783456c08969a2969522 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_full.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=313&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=1ba4e9ac692ebafc4e47e22d4ee3adb6 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_full.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=572&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=781a9eba08d16ac7d699884a8ba3b2f4 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_full.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=763&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=f5a56de9a4d8ff4b1d4b7f3f2a517b09 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_full.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1043&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=759fd1f1e6fa69a0006caf7159c60215 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_full.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1192&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=e6fc9ccf5dbeae0af26a74cc0c0fddf0 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhight-street_full.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1430&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=e0d0cb0a0637170ad6020b0d45bfecc4 1920w)
How do we deliver design excellence within a high-density city location? Our starting point would be to ask the community what it is that they feel they need. Consulting with the community and broader stakeholders will make cities more relevant. The specifics of place and the maintenance of uniqueness is something that lives in those who experience the area on a day-to-day basis. It is when a community is asked to adopt a commercial or political vision imposed from those on the outside that relevance is lost.
We can no longer consider the family unit in the traditional way. We are a more mobile society, more often than not living away from our families as we follow work opportunities. We live on our own for much longer at both ends of our lives and the fear of isolation brings us closer to those living and working around us. Our city communities are an extended family and often bring more relevance to our lives than our own blood line.
These social changes, together with an escalation in property prices especially in London, suggest that homes need to become more affordable either through a policy of subsidy or/and the consideration of smaller homes for single person habitation. Smaller homes will not however help families with children. Families with children are finding it increasingly difficult to afford three and four bedroom homes. If we are to encourage whole life city living and a more balanced community we will need to build variety of size and tenure.
Cities with greater densities encourage people to walk and cycle as distances between destinations are reduced and more accessible. Improvements in health and wellbeing are tangible results of this, with all of the social, environmental and economic benefits that this brings. The reduction in the pace of movement increases opportunities for people to meet informally and exchange information. This improves social cohesion and has economic benefit. It also makes for a more vibrant and active public realm which is safer.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhome-and-work.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=130&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=c45b30c949eac63c6464f926b7e42a04 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhome-and-work.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=261&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=a82b667a6ce20d7e9f85c5c5e1409977 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhome-and-work.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=477&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=8cb83f92f5ad89986c7b4aeecce287d5 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhome-and-work.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=636&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=a440e75a35e42cf825b3c70cd0debd82 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhome-and-work.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=869&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=463aaa8ec88d351c8855604c25239482 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhome-and-work.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=994&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=f737f97b264e5dabb5a4426d69946845 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2Fhome-and-work.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1192&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=d63c5ac2a71f94a357ec3722c45d5dcf 1920w)
Dense cities are green cities in both the physical and figurative sense. They offer visual and functional amenity at all scales, from the balcony to the private garden through to the public square and park. Density is a balance between building and open space giving people an environment where there are clear and well-defined boundaries between their public and private lives.
Density improves choice not only in terms of jobs and housing but also in terms of the types of goods and services available on the high street. Competition increases choice, reduces costs and improves quality. A significant population within the local community allows the market to offer a bespoke service which is adaptive and flexible following the societal needs which it will reflect if it is to be successful. For cities to remain relevant they need to be nimble and responsive adapting to the community they serve.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2FFlexible-blocks.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=223&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=d7ad71e7f4e6c1b8715dda2985b612d7 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2FFlexible-blocks.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=445&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=6aeaa313150801d9fe7e8fe410d600e9 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2FFlexible-blocks.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=814&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=7145e0d94bbe13f865605ea59bd336e2 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2FFlexible-blocks.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1086&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=70146af243acd82cf1fc6675d427ddc3 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2FFlexible-blocks.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1485&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=3290b122b8d09a8fa7555698d851b38c 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2FFlexible-blocks.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1697&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=6f18bc2305431f01f3f1e757779db89d 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F01%2FFlexible-blocks.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=2036&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=ce0ea7dd584620cb425fe869c10be9ed 1920w)
This essay was extracted from the Future Spaces Foundation report: Vital Cities not Garden Cities: the answer to the nation’s housing shortage?