Abstract
Urban design now recognises the need for alternatives to soulless and dispiriting residential developments located far from jobs, schools, shops, leisure and social opportunities. There is a rising awareness, too, that in its quest for short-term returns, conventional speculative property development passes onto communities the long-term risks of biodiversity loss, social fragmentation, environmental degradation, energy and transport costs, and more. Explored here is a prototype for an alternative model to residential development that puts holistic resilience and sustainability first. In these compact “urban cells”, cars have been designed out. Work is local and self-sufficiency in power, water and food is possible. Social cohesion is allowed to emerge. Importantly, the financial instruments needed to seed and grow such communities already exist.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-48 |
Journal | Construction Research and Innovation |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 12 Jun 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |