The High Density Compact City is promoted as the model of sustainable living. Planners envision smaller, high-density cities that will reduce the spatial extent of cities; creating places where people can live closer to work, relying less on environmentally damaging transportation methods and reducing our collective carbon footprint.

This latter model of planning arose as a critique of the superfluous approach to city planning taken by proponents of the Garden City Movement; under which rapid development resulted in urban sprawl leading to increased reliance on the automobile and irreparable environmental damage. Proponents of compact cities, such as Jane Jacobs, have long argued that compact, high-density configurations produce the critical mass of people that is capable of supporting businesses, better infrastructure, and more dynamic communities.

The Compact City model promises to solve many, if not all, of these problems and even improve our quality of life in the city. It is a model that is relatively realistic with respect to population expansion and is strongly anchored in agglomeration economics. It works on the basis that the higher the population density confined to a reduced space, the lower the budget for transport infrastructure (public transport, parking lots, roads, etc.). Proximity also allows for the easy provision of efficient waste, water and electricity infrastructure. In addition, proximity will allow both businesses and residents to better reap the fruits of the agglomeration, saving on transportation costs and time while benefiting from the best services. These massive savings will be redirected to improve facilities and improve quality of life.

Compared to previous planning models, the compact city model does not consciously attempt to limit the population of a given area, it is by default high-density development. Nor does it persist in delimiting and segregating areas of activities. Limited land availability calls for a mixed-use approach with a mix of commercial, residential, institutional, and recreational facilities. Zoning, if still enforced, may no longer be flat.

However, taking into account such reductions in land use and the continued migration of the population from rural to urban areas, the population and building density in the heart of the city is expected to more or less double in the next decades. . How will our planners deal with this sudden influx? Are our cities ready for the Compact City model?

As concerned citizens, unless this model is tested, we have the right to doubt the aforementioned promises. Growing cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Jakarta and Brasilia are currently struggling to cope with today’s influx of population, suffering from overcrowding, lack of basic facilities and infrastructure, rising crime rate leading to insecurity and insufficient housing, all which is exacerbated even more. due to relict administrative procedures, political and social turmoil, and above all, the inability to realistically predict its future situation. However, we must also recognize that these cities were not prepared and are now having a hard time adjusting to that kind of density.

The Compact City is proposed as a resilient model capable of adapting to sudden economic and demographic fluctuations. However, to prepare for such drastic changes, growing cities need realistic planning. Being realistic in the population forecast is a key element for successful planning. The lack of a clear vision and the ability to foresee and plan for realistic growth is what has hampered the adaptability of these cities. Realistic figures are required to help define priorities and avoid inconsistent piecemeal development.