Tim Williams argues that Sydney's ubiquitous and beloved terraced housing provides an exemplary model for developing environmentally efficient and livable communities. So why is their construction being stymied?
A mainstay of Sydney's housing mix until World War II, terraced housing "is characterised by small lots, attached housing, and street frontage," describes Williams.
"Because it was designed before the advent of the car, it was pedestrian
focused and close to transport. It is less land hungry than later
housing models, but provides a form of higher density living far more
desirable than badly designed apartments."
So why is it so difficult to build this housing form so prized by home-buyers and praised by New South Wales Planning Minister Brad Hazzard? According to Williams, "The answer turned out to be simple: Current council restrictions make
terraces all but unviable. If a developer wishes to build terraces, they
will typically require a rezoning and a sub-division application, which
often take years to process. Some councils even require terraces to
have underground or off-street parking, making them either prohibitively
expensive or simply not terraces at all. The result of this baffling
approach is that developers end up building either McMansions in
sprawling suburbs or high-rise apartments. The former isn't sustainable
and the latter isn't popular."
Williams calls on the state government to "hold a design competition to update the terrace in line with modern family needs" and to "encourage small lot, terrace or semi-detached housing within a 600-metre radius of every train station," in order to support a return to this time-tested precedent and more effectively meet Sydney's housing needs.
FULL STORY: Acceptable density: reinventing the Sydney Terrace for the 21st Century

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance
The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package
Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane
The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont