Social stress
Rigid urban planning controls and bad housing designs have created conditions that have bred many of our social ills. Here are some of the unintended consequences.
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Sprawling suburbs have lacked enough density for adequate public transport and accessible community facilities.
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Dormitory suburbs remote from work and recreational opportunities are emptied by day when people leave for work, often with long commuting times, and costly commutes.
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Those left at home in the suburbs are socially isolated, and especially vulnerable as they age or experience ill-health.
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Young people who are bored from little to do, are more likely to develop addictive habits to online entertainment, drugs, alcohol and causing trouble.
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There is increased likelihood of opportunistic crime.
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Families are increasingly segregated from their own relatives in different housing developments.
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Social and mental health issues that (along with financial stress) are major causes of breakdown of relationships, which can lead to domestic violence.
New SMART city planning proposals are focused on creating higher density, walk-able neighbourhoods in our major cities and suburbs, intended to create working and living infrastructure closer together and to improve vibrancy and economic opportunities in these areas.
These should be great outcomes, if they do not limit freedom of movement and association and privacy, or risk our health and safety.
Interested in more conversations about these matters?
Contact us to learn more about how the Sun Villages Model can meet or exceed
design criteria for new housing to be ecologically, socially and economically sustainable.