A Human-Scaled Future for Dense Development

Critics of height argue that it de-humanizes our cities. Yet a critical mass is a necessity for vibrant city life, and height is a key contributor. If we can overcome the environmental impacts and technicalities of building tall and dense, our cities' streets can thrive and prosper. To make this happen, we must move towards working together to share resources, so we can ensure the continuity of the public realm. We already have the tools to do this; the challenge lies in the coordination of the public and private institutions that govern urban space. District heating and cooling systems; shared logistics spaces; care, responsibility and ownership of the public realm between buildings; seamless connectivity between modes of transport; creative combinations of shelter and seating, and the placement of buildings so that they are not overbearing to the streets around them - these attributes can be found in many places, though rarely all at once. This paper looks at the development of the city and offers Barangaroo South, Sydney, which addresses all these aspects, as a potential template for future city planning.