Building taller, building denser: explorations in placemaking in London

Densification denotes, in some form, the increasing density of people living and working in urban areas. In many cities, higher densities demand constructing taller buildings; and therefore, planners need to address their potential impact on the fabric of our cities (both individually and cumulatively) and the political and economic imperatives for cities to build ever taller. However, many existing policies and regulations are outdated and fail to address the nuances of density and its impact on placemaking. This chapter explores these tensions, focusing on the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area in central London. The master plan for the new neighborhood envisages 25,000 new jobs and 20,000 new homes. At the heart of the master plan is a massive increase in density through building tall buildings across the area. The authors explore this development and examine whether the densification and building height approach is an effective placemaking strategy. The stated claims for higher density and taller buildings create place through urban planning and design approaches and processes