Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Achieving a sustainable urban form has been explored in multiple academic papers, with the primary objective of framing and evaluating the dimensions of sustainability. This thesis aims to understand the concept of sustainable urban form and evaluate how Swedish urban typologies score in this context. The complexity of sustainable urban form is evident due to its numerous interrelated dimensions. While this thesis does not delve deeply into policy, governance, or user behaviour aspects, it concludes by comparing the performance of Swedish urban typologies and constructing a framework for a sustainable urban form.
The scoping literature review reveals that the concept of sustainable urban form intersects with multiple planning ideals, such as the eco-city, urban compaction, and the compact city. This indicates the absence of a one-size-fits-all ideal. Synthesising the discourse on urban intensification highlights the challenges in achieving denser, more sustainable urban environments. It requires a nuanced understanding of the interplay between urban development, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. This discourse underscores the need for inclusive planning processes that recognise diverse interests and capacities, positioning urban intensification as a comprehensive approach to fostering sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive environments.
Aligning density with built form and the broader urban context remains crucial, challenging planners to reconcile quantitative measures with qualitative urban experiences. Assessments of Swedish urban typologies reveal no single typology scores highly across all dimensions. Patterns emerge, such as typologies farther from the city centre having more visible sky and lower Floor Space Index and Ground Space Index, indicating less compact urban fabrics. These typologies are prone to infill densification in contemporary planning, highlighting the challenge of densifying already compact forms without compromising quality of life aspects like daylight and greenery.
Developing an analytical framework to assess the contribution of different urban building typologies to sustainability is essential. This framework must consider reducing space and water demand, power and lighting use, and motorised transport while increasing self-sufficiency in lifestyle practices. The need for diverse types of compact development, accounting for local regulations and social preferences, is crucial. Compact development should enhance liveability rather than focus solely on densification, incorporating elements of human scale and quality of place.