Welcome to the big city: A research into the effects of density for three case studies within Utrecht

Abstract

Worldwide countries are undergoing increased urbanization, this creates for an increasing importance for spatial planners to deal with the effects of density. Utrecht undergoes this as well, where there is a renewed interest in increasing housing within the city to be able to support the increase in population, where new development plans are made which take place from 2015 to 2030 . With the plans being in development the aim of this research is to understand the possible effects increased density can have on the urban environment. For this research three case studies within Utrecht are researched which are all undergoing increased density. To understand the effects of density the concept of urban liveability is used to have an understanding of the effects of density on the areas. The research shows that density will have both positive and negative impacts on liveability. Where in the case studies negative impacts on health were found, mixed impacts are found on economic stability and positive impacts were found on the culture and environments of these areas. The research also shows uncertainty around the aspect of infrastructure which is heavily impacted by the increased density within two of the case studies. This comes with the conclusion that the researched areas within Utrecht have a limit when it comes to density, where at a certain point increased density can have a major negative impact on the urban liveability. However the design of the dense areas impacts both the positive and negative aspects of density. The research hereby shows some of the possible effects of increased density. Where the results create an increased understanding of the effects of density, and the importance of understanding the effects for future urban developments. However with the areas still being under development and that the research is a case study on one area it is still difficult to have a general statement on the effects of density on urban areas.