Designing for social interaction in high-density housing

Hal Mellen, Urban Designer with ADAM Architecture, and Dr Michael Short, Associate Professor in Planning at UCL will talk about design features that can help people to interact in higher density housing.

Over the past two decades, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has pursued the delivery of high-density development in London to respond to population growth whilst protecting the green belt. Though high-density places have been associated with sustainable outcomes, it is well documented that residents interact less frequently and build fewer relationships in these environments. This can be particularly detrimental since social contact is fundamental for our general wellbeing and happiness. This study explored if and how we can design for social interaction in high-density housing. To do so, it adopted the process of inducting theory from case studies to determine whether social interaction was a driving factor in the design process, the type and location of social interactions, and clarify the influence of physical design on social contact in comparison to other factors. The case studies design-led schemes were chosen for investigation as award-winning developments which had received commendation for creating the foundations for a strong community.

Designing for social interaction in high-density housing:
A multiple case analysis of recently completed design-led developments in London

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High-density living is linked to sustainable outcomes but can reduce social interaction among residents, negatively affecting wellbeing and happiness. This study examined how high-density housing can be designed to promote social interaction.

Three case studies of award-winning, design-led developments were analyzed, focusing on whether social interaction was a key design element, where it occurred, and how physical design influenced social contact.

Research methods included interviews with residents and architects, participant observation, and content analysis.

Findings

• Limiting the number of apartments in a building encourages collective responsibility and more frequent use of communal spaces.
• Combining shared pathways and communal areas encourages brief social interactions and strengthens community ties.
• Externalized circulation spaces (e.g., hallways outside apartments) can facilitate neighbor interactions, and bike storage areas can become social hubs if well-integrated with shared spaces.

Physical design factors play a role but are not the only determinant in fostering social interaction.