COMPACT URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A LEGAL STUDY

Abstract

Compact urban development has emerged as a crucial strategy in the pursuit of environmental sustainability amidst the backdrop of rapid urbanisation. Urbanisation stands as a defining trend of the 21st century, with more than half of the global population now residing in urban areas. While cities offer economic opportunities and social amenities, they concurrently exert significant strains on the environment, contributing to pollution, resource depletion, and climate change. In response to these pressing challenges, the concept of compact urban development has ascended as a salient strategy to reconcile urban expansion with environmental sustainability. This research endeavour delves into the intricate relationship between compact urban development and environmental sustainability. Leveraging a comprehensive synthesis of literature this study scrutinises the environmental advantages, hurdles, and policy ramifications associated with compact urban development. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the study elucidates the potential of compact urban development to mitigate environmental degradation, curtail resource consumption, and fortify cities against the impacts of climate change. This research endeavour seeks to interrogate the role of compact urban development in advancing environmental sustainability. By scrutinising the environmental advantages, challenges, and policy implications entailed by compact urban development, this study endeavours to elucidate its potential as a transformative paradigm in urban planning and design.