Medium-density housing

Medium-density housing is a term used within urban planning and academic literature to refer to a category of residential development that falls between detached suburban housing and large multi-story buildings. There is no singular definition of medium-density housing as its precise definition tends to vary between jurisdiction. Scholars however, have found that medium density housing ranges from about 25 to 80 dwellings per hectare, although most commonly sits around 30 and 40 dwellings/hectare.[1][2][3] Typical examples of medium-density housing include duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, row homes, detached homes with garden suites, and walk-up apartment buildings.[2][3]

In Australia the density of standard suburban residential areas has traditionally been between 8-15 dwellings per hectare.[1] In New Zealand medium-density development is defined as four or more units with an average density of less than 350m2.[4] Such developments typically consist of semi-attached and multi-unit housing (also known as grouped housing) and low-rise apartments.

In the United States, medium-density housing is usually referred to as middle-sized or cluster development that fits between neighborhoods with single family homes and high-rise apartments. This kind of development is usually intended to bridge the gap between low- and high-density neighborhoods. Because this kind of housing refers to density specifically, the type of building or number of units can vary. Medium-density housing in America has historically been perceived as undesirable due to the affordable nature of the housing that attracts low-income residents, and its perceived breach on the established suburban lifestyle.[5] The various styles of medium-density housing are now being considered as more sustainable development options to help solve the housing crisis in America.[6]

An example of historic row houses in Baltimore with Characteristics of Medium-Density Housing
  1. ^ a b "The Low Rise Housing Diversity Code". www.planning.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  2. ^ a b Hodge, Gerald; Gordon, David; Shaw, Pamela (2021). Planning Canadian communities: An introduction to the principles, practices, and participants in the 21st century. Toronto: Nelson. ISBN 978-0-17-670549-7.
  3. ^ a b Ellis, John (2004). "Explaining residential densities" (PDF). Places. 16 (2): 34–43.
  4. ^ "Medium-density housing in New Zealand | Ministry for the Environment". www.mfe.govt.nz. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  5. ^ Wright, Gwendolyn (1988). Building the Dream. Cambridge: MIT Press. pp. 313–329.
  6. ^ "New Report Shows America's Rental Affordability Crisis Climbing the Income Ladder | Joint Center for Housing Studies". www.jchs.harvard.edu. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-19.