CREATIVITY GAME

Mara Vogrinec¹, Janez P. Grom¹, Matej Nikšič²:

Urban density indicators in settlement densification and their testing on selected case studies

DOI 10.15292/IU-CG.2025.13.052-063 | UDK 711.4:316.728:004.91:551.583 | SUBMITTED: 11/2025 | REVISED: 11/2025 | PUBLISHED: 12/2025
Author's affiliation: ¹ University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture, Slovenia, ² Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

PDF

ABSTRACT
The paper examines urban densification as a central lever of inner urban development under conditions of housing pressure and climate change. It starts from the observation that the prevailing use of land-use intensity indicators (e.g., FAR/coverage ratios) often fails to capture the diversity of interventions and their consequences for quality of living. The aim of the paper is to develop and empirically test a unified analytical framework that enables (1) a consistent definition of densification categories and morphological forms for the purposes of spatial regulation, (2) comparable measurement of structural and functional density across different spatial and data contexts, and (3) an assessment of the usability of available databases. Methodologically, the paper combines a literature review with the development of a categorization (structural, functional, and socio-programmatic densification) and a typology of morphological interventions. The framework is tested on ten case studies from Slovenia and abroad using GIS analyses, indicator calculations (e.g., gross floor area per area unit, ratios of built-up and open spaces), and 2D/3D graphic representations. The results show that the typology explains most of the examined cases, but requires extensions for complex interventions (e.g., additional construction adjacent to existing structures, infill of vacant plots within neighborhoods, hybrid interventions). Vertical interventions generally have a more direct effect on structural density, whereas horizontal and programmatic interventions more strongly influence functional density. The indicators are interpretatively useful, but their reliability depends on the quality of records; therefore, data harmonization, field verification, and the combination of quantitative and morphological criteria are essential. The paper concludes that a multi-criteria, comparative framework improves the transparency of decision-making on densification and supports the alignment of urban development with goals of quality of living and climate resilience.

KEYWORDS
settlement densification; urban density; urban morphology; density indicator; quality of living; climate resilience

FULL ARTICLE
https://iu-cg.org/paper/2025/IU-CG.2025.13.052-063.pdf (4.63 MB)

CITATION

Copy citation to clipboard (APA style)

LITERATURE AND SOURCES:
Angel, S., Lamson-Hall, P., & Blanco, Z. G. (2021). Anatomy of density: Measurable factors that constitute urban density. Buildings and Cities, 2(1), 264–282. https://journal-buildingscities.org/articles/10.5334/bc.91
Churchman, A. (1999). Disentangling the concept of density. Journal of Planning Literature, 13(4), 389–411. https://doi.org/10.1177/08854129922092478
European Commission. Directorate-General for Regional Policy. (2011). Cities of tomorrow : challenges, visions, ways forward. Publications Office. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2776/41803
European Environment Agency., European Topic Centre Urban, Land and Soil (ETC ULS)., in European Topic Centre Climate Change Adaptation (ETC European Coal and Steel Community). (2016). Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe 2016: transforming cities in a changing climate. Publications Office. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2800/021466
Grom, J. P., Fikfak, A., & Berčič, T. (2025). Urbana gostota – zaključno poročilo (Projektna naloga št. 4301-2/2025-2560). Arhitektura in urbanizem, Janez Peter Grom s.p.
Geodetska uprava Republike Slovenije. (2025). Portal Prostor Geodetske uprave RS. [Spletna aplikacija]. https://www.e-prostor.gov.si/
IPCC Report 2022: How climate change impacts vulnerable countries. (2022). India Development Review. Pridobljeno 1. marec 2026, s https://idronline.org/article/climate-emergency/ipcc-report-2022-how-climate-change-impacts-vulnerable-countries/
Kennedy, D. P., & Adolphs, R. (2011). Stress and the city. Nature, 474(7352), 452–453. https://doi.org/10.1038/474452a
King, G., Roland-Mieszkowski, M., Jason, T., & Rainham, D. G. (2012). Noise levels associated with urban land use. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 89(6), 1017–1030. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-012-9721-7
Liman, U., Laprise, M., & Rey, E. (2025). Between household structure, urban density, and ecological transition: Rethinking the approach of estimating housing needs in Switzerland. Sustainable Cities and Society, 120, 106137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2025.106137
Martino, N., Girling, C., & Lu, Y. (2021). Urban form and livability: Socioeconomic and built environment indicators. Buildings and Cities, 2(1), 220–243. https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.82
Newman, P., & Kenworthy, J. R. (1999). Sustainability and cities overcoming automobile dependence. Island Press.
OECD. (2012). Compact City Policies: A Comparative Assessment. OECD. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264167865-en
OpenStreetMap Contributors. (2025). OpenStreetMap[Zemljovid]. https://www.openstreetmap.org/
Statistični urad Republike Slovenije. (2025). Portal STAGE– statistični podatki v prostoru [Spletna aplikacija]. https://gis.stat.si/
Teller, J. (2021). Regulating urban densification: What factors should be used? Buildings and Cities, 2(1), 302–317. https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.123
UN-Habitat. (2024). World Cities Report 2024. Pridobljeno 1. marec 2026, s https://unhabitat.org/wcr/
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2019). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 revision. UN. Pridobljeno 1. marec 2026, s https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.pdf
Urbanistični inštitut Republike Slovenije (2025). Zgoščevanje naselij, Prvo fazno poročilo. Ljubljana: UIRS.
World Bank. (2012). World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-7607-2