Vertical cities: An approach to life above 700ft in urban environments of the future

Abstract

Over the past few decades the population has grown exponentially on a global level; this growth is not temporary, it is set to continue for years to come. Due to this unprecedented global population growth, many aspects of everyday life, specifically with relation to housing, have been and will continue to be altered to fit the growing needs of society. This densification of the city of the future can create diminished open space and increase background and static activity, which in turn will create the opposite of a healthy living environment. Using illustrated case studies on Pier 2, Dubai Nhabitat, and the Kowloon Walled City, cities and housing along with mental and physical health problems associated with vertically dense living will be explored. With these explorations this paper will propose ideas for the future of housing within vertically dense urban living environments.