Published: 2025-12-21

The importance of urban indicators in shaping residential development – housing density and building density

Magdalena Śliwa , Dżoana Latała-Matysiak
Studia Miejskie
Section: Articles
DOI https://doi.org/10.25167/sm.5801

The importance of urban indicators in shaping residential development – housing density and building density

Abstract

The aim of this article is to emphasize the importance of urban indicators in shaping contemporary residential development, which determine the amount of development possible in housing estates. These indicators should be subject to detailed legal regulations because the land development process is subject to a specific formal and legal procedure. However, there is a conceptual chaos, and the aim of this paper is also to organize the terms used in law and literature. It is important to note that the concept of building intensity is different from building density, and housing density should be distinguished from population density. Urban indicators are extremely necessary because they allow maintaining a certain standard of spatial development, and therefore should undoubtedly be regulated by law.

To achieve the aim of this paper, an analysis of the indicators used in Polish law acts related to spatial planning in force from 1928 to 2025 was conducted, literature studies on the terms related to urban indicators were carried out, and a case study was conducted, i.e., an analysis of two selected residential developments - single-family and multi-family housing - to confront the theoretical and legal foundations with the implementation of investments.

Citation rules

Śliwa, M., & Latała-Matysiak, D. (2025). The importance of urban indicators in shaping residential development – housing density and building density: The importance of urban indicators in shaping residential development – housing density and building density. Studia Miejskie, 49, 91–115. https://doi.org/10.25167/sm.5801

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