Does the Compact-City Paradigm Foster Sustainability? An Empirical Study in Taiwan

Abstract

The compact-city paradigm has received increased attention worldwide for its ability to achieve sustainable development. However, the claim that the compact-city paradigm contributes to sustainability has not been sufficiently verified. In this study we evaluate how major concepts in the compact-city paradigm affect urban sustainability. Correspondingly, the complementary strategies for facilitating compact-city progress are recommended. Structural equation modeling was applied to ninety-two samples of medium-sized or small-sized cities in Taiwan. Latent variables and observed variables were analyzed in the model's structure. According to the results a high-density pattern and intensification negatively affect the environmental and social sustainability, but positively affect economic sustainability. Furthermore, mixture of land use is beneficial to economic sustainability, and does not significantly affect environmental or social sustainability. On the basis of the empirical results, strategies that guide the compact-city paradigm toward the goals of sustainability are also proposed.

Towards a regenerative paradigm for the built environment

“…However, as Frei (1999, p. 33) suggests, there is no real evidence available to privilege one urban form over another, and empirical research suggests that the compact city model may have economic benefits, but not necessarily environmental or social benefits (e.g. Burton, 2000;van der Waals, 2000;Thinh et al, 2002;Lin and Yang, 2006).…”

Coordinating density; working through conviction, suspicion and pragmatism

“…The same conclusions are reached by two other studies, highlighting the way in which this trade-off seems to have a 'global' character. In their study of 92 towns and cities in Taiwan, Lin and Yang (2006) found that compact city characteristics had positive effects in terms of urban production and enterprise investment but had negative effects in terms of the availability of green-space, crime rates and housing affordability (Lin and Yang 2006). In yet a different context, Thinh et al (2002) looked at the degree of compactness of the settlement structure of 116 German cities.…”

Does Compact Urban Development Foster Environment Sustainability?

“…Some of the main arguments opposed to the compact city are that the concept of the green city [16] is in contradiction to that of the compact city and that the compact city would cause congestion, with increased pollution, on the local scale [17]. The empirical example of Taiwan shows the density and the process of intensification not only positively influences economic sustainability but also negatively influence environmental and social sustainability [18].…”