ASSESSING THE BALANCE BETWEEN URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND DENSIFICATION: CONSOLIDATED PRACTICES AND NEW CHALLENGES

Abstract

The high-density city has been considered a controversial model, since it does not ensure
sustainability a priori if not supported by a control of the just density and the promotion of
natural spaces in the urban environment, fostering good living conditions and wellbeing.
Understanding the right limit between urban development and densification, accompanied
by the enhancement of urban natural spaces and ecosystem services, has becoming crucial
to prevent pandemic effects as well. To this aim, assessing frameworks are already
available to urban planners to make informed decisions as well as the knowledge on the
role of green infrastructures and ecosystem services that can guarantee urban health and
quality life. The paper aims at rediscovering these findings in the new perspective of the
pandemics.

Keywords: urban densification, strategic environmental assessment, ecosystem services