How does Acceptance of Densification Differ among Neighborhood Types?

Abstract

Around the world, centrally-located land is scarce, making the sustainable use of available land a necessity. As a consequence, policymakers worldwide pursue strategies that aim to densify existing settlements. However, concrete densification projects tend to provoke (local) opposition. We examine how individuals assess general and local densification in Switzerland. The Swiss case is particularly interesting due to its high population density and recent spatial planning policy shifts towards densification. We base our analysis on a choice experiment that relies on a representative sample of 3003 residents. The results indicate that residents support general densification but reject such projects within their neighborhoods, leading to substantial shifts in support for densification. However, opposition to densification differs depending on the neighborbood type individuals live in and on project-related factors. These differences point to possible opportunities for increasing the acceptance of densifying our settlements.