Co-authored by Jason Krupp and Khyaati Acharya, the report analyses the assumption that in order to accommodate an ever-growing population cities need to build up, not out. The idea behind this suggestion is that denser, more compact cities achieve higher levels of productivity, greater housing affordability, better health outcomes and less traffic congestion. But do they really?

Our research into historical trends and academic literature on the subject finds the argument for compact cities is far from clear cut. In many cases this urban ideology exacerbates the very problems it looks to solve. Not least it makes housing less affordable by restricting the supply of land.

This report comes at a critical time for residents in many of New Zealand’s cities, who are now being asked to make choices on how their urban environments develop in the long term. We believe they need to know the facts behind the compact cities idea before rushing into decisions on how they are going to live in the future.

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Time: 5.45 PM - 8.00 PM
Location: The New Zealand Initiative, Level 12, Bayleys Building, 36 Brandon St, Wellington