Desirable Dense Neighbourhoods: An Environmental Psychological Approach for Understanding Community Resistance to Densification

Abstract

This study investigates the underlying factors behind community resistance to increasing housing density in neighbourhoods. It aims to understand the dimensions of what a community would consider to be a ‘desired dense’ place or neighbourhood. This is conceived within the framework of a collaborative placemaking process built on a constructive dialogue between community and other stakeholders aimed at generating development proposals which might harmonise with the community’s perception of desirable living conditions.