ABSTRACT
Quality of lifeÐthe challenge for sustainable cities The government is calling for sustainable cities and 60 per cent of new housing requirements to be built on derelict or under-used land in urban areas, but what does this mean for the quality of life of urban people? High densities of housing can, of course, contribute to a sense of society and community and can therefore be a good thing. The concept of sustainable cities can give a nice warm feeling, but what are the realities of this idea? Does this just mean a very dense built form with no open spaces? What benefit would that be when we have clearly seen from chapters one to four of this book that there are many social, health, environmental and economic benefits available to individuals and communities by having open spaces in urban areas?
