ABSTRACT
Introduction It is now widely accepted, particularly in land use planning policy (for example, DoE and DoT, 1994), that the most effective solution to achieving sustainable urban form is implementation of the compact city idea, that is, advocacy of high-density, mixed-use urban form. The claimed advantages of the compact city have been well documented - they include: conservation ofthe countryside; less need to travel by car, thus reduced fuel emissions; support for public transport and walking and cycling; better access to services and facilities; more efficient utility and infrastructure provision; and revitalisation and regeneration of inner urban areas. However, to date, there is little evidence to support such claims, and the sustainability of the compact city continues to be contended (Breheny, 1992; Jenks et al., 1996).
