Urban densities, local policies and sustainable development

This paper reports on a research project investigating the relationship between travel behaviour and residential densities. The specific focus is on the question of local authority attitudes to raising density standards as current policy suggests they should be doing. The results of a survey of English district councils are presented. The survey tries to identify the degree to which density standards have been changed in response to policy. The results suggest widespread resistance to the raising of standards, implying that the urban compaction agenda is being undermined. The paper finishes with thoughts on the reasons for this resistance.