Generative urbanism

Joost Beunderman, Demos associate and project manager at Urhahn Urban Design, questioned planner’s current fixation with maximizing housing density in new development and was concerned that ‘ghost’ and ‘clone’ towns were being created. He suggested that new developments should seek to repair local social capital rather than increase segregation.

Development should be ‘public value’ led with extensive input from local communities. He cited the example of the Hub development at King’s Cross, which was funded by public bonds. It provides flexible space, which can be hired by its members by the hour. The use of the space is far more important than the building itself.