The regulation of families with children in apartments

Condominium housing is now ubiquitous in contemporary cities globally. For residents, the success of compact cities depends on built environment quality, social relationships within buildings, and broader social norms. This includes how private and shared apartment spaces are navigated, regulated, and controlled. This article focuses on the experiences of families with children who comprise a growing cohort of apartment residents. We build on existing research that documents families’ experiences of poor design, to recognize the role regulation plays in shaping a sense of home. We theorize regulation at three levels: (1) social regulation as interactions between individuals who influence each other’s behaviour; (2) self-regulated behaviours; and (3) institutional regulation through rules and laws. Utilizing narratives of parents raising children in apartments in Sydney, Australia, we argue social norms, neighbourly interactions, and by-laws interact to enforce codes of behaviour that impinge upon family life. Our insights have important implications for the wellbeing and inclusion of families within compact city agendas.