Urban infill development is described as development that utilizes unused and underused land in urban areas in order to increase density and to place new developments closer to existing resources and infrastructure.
Infill developments usually involve subdividing one allotment into two or more titles, adding an extra residence to a title, constructing townhouses on a title, etc.
The pros…
Infill development is said to help stop urban sprawl which can involve costly infrastructure projects, loss of valuable farm land and natural environment.
Infill development done properly, is able to; encourage more diverse and affordable housing options, reduce the number and length of car trips, provide more options for children and the elderly, provide a better sense of community and even give healthier and safer outcomes.
Compared to infill, urban sprawl can add up being 300+% more costly to local government, aka the ratepayers.
Good infill development can offer the opportunity to address the environmental impacts of urban sprawl development. It can revitalize communities, meet housing demands and improve community health.
The cons…
Some infill developments are not compatible with the neighbourhood environment such as multi-story units in the middle of average sized, single homes.
While one view of infill development is that it promotes a better sense of community, another is that increased density creates a whole new set of issues, loss of privacy, etc.
Infill development often involves the removal, legally or not, of significant vegetation on private land, so reducing the ‘greening’ of a neighbourhood.
Increasing the density of population with infill development can give rise to issues of existing infrastructure not coping.
The paradox…
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| Sprawl versus density |
Most people are against sprawl AND density. Anyone want to sort that out?
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