In the United States  medium-density housing is usually referred to as middle-sized or cluster development (it has even been referred to as gentle density) that fits between neighborhoods with single family homes and high-rise apartments. This kind of development is usually intended to bridge the gap between low- and high-density neighborhoods. Because this kind of housing refers to density specifically, the type of building or number of units can vary from location to location . Medium-density housing in America has historically been perceived as undesirable due to the affordable nature of the housing that attracts low-income residents, and its perceived breach on the established suburban lifestyle. The various styles of housing that fall under medium-density housing are now being considered as more sustainable development options to help solve the housing crisis in America.An example of historic row houses in Baltimore with different facades. Characteristics of Medium-Density Housing  Close proximity to community services and amenities Small to medium footprints Lower perceived density due to small building footprint Smaller, well-designed units Simple construction Off-street parking does not determine design One or less parking spots per unit A sense of community Marketability An example of townhouses. Typically Called Single family detached/accessory units Duplexes Townhouse/row house Four-plexes Stacked Townhouses Walkup Apartments Cottage Courts Low-rise multifamily buildings Residential cluster development History Case studies and current developments Westbrae, Berkeley, CA, USA Robert Mueller Airport Reuse Plan, Austin, TX, USA Conover Commons, Redmond, WA, USA Olympia, WA, USA Stonefields Auckland, NZ Lester St, Hobsonville, NZ Buckley Terraces, Hobsonville, NZ Chestercourts, Christchurch, NZ The Altair, Wellington, NZ 55 Duke St, Three Kings, Auckland, NZ Supporting policy and research%DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% Sustainable medium-density housing: A resource book Breaking New Ground Housing, South Africa Assessing the physical characteristics of medium density mixed housing in South Africa Moreland City Council Report, Australia Minneapolis, MN, USA Missing Middle Housing Seattle, WA, USA Arlington, VA, USA Gentle Density Article City of Edmonton, Canada Toronto, Canada "Missing Middle" Study on Ontario Missing Middle Housing as an emerging trend for building Criticisms and issues The design of medium density housing requires careful consideration of urban design principles. In some cases, urban consolidation policies have allowed indiscriminate demolition of existing low-density housing across established residential suburbs, replacing them with various forms of medium-density dwellings. Because of this, many medium-density developments have been controversial in the last 20–30 years because of their perceived negative impacts on the neighborhood character of established residential areas.
In the United States , medium-density housing is usually referred to as middle-sized or cluster development that fits between neighborhoods with single family homes and high-rise apartments. This kind of development is usually intended to bridge the gap between low- and high-density neighborhoods. Because this kind of housing refers to density specifically, the type of building or number of units can vary . Medium-density housing in America has historically been perceived as undesirable due to the affordable nature of the housing that attracts low-income residents, and its perceived breach on the established suburban lifestyle. The various styles of medium-density housing are now being considered as more sustainable development options to help solve the housing crisis in America.An example of historic row houses in Baltimore with Characteristics of Medium-Density Housing Characteristics Close proximity to community services and amenities Small to medium footprints Lower perceived density due to small building footprint Smaller, well-designed units Simple construction Off-street parking does not determine design One or less parking spots per unit A sense of community Marketability An example of townhouses. History %DIFDELCMD < %DIFDELCMD < %%% Criticism The design of medium density housing requires careful consideration of urban design principles. In some cases, urban consolidation policies have allowed indiscriminate demolition of existing low-density housing across established residential suburbs, replacing them with various forms of medium-density dwellings. Because of this, many medium-density developments have been controversial in the last 20–30 years because of their perceived negative impacts on the neighborhood character of established residential areas.
A
,
D
(it has even been referred to as gentle density)
D
from location to location
D
housing that fall under
D
different facades.
A
Characteristics
D
Typically Called
D
Single family detached/accessory units Duplexes Townhouse/row house Four-plexes Stacked Townhouses Walkup Apartments Cottage Courts Low-rise multifamily buildings Residential cluster development
D
Case studies and current developments Westbrae, Berkeley, CA, USA Robert Mueller Airport Reuse Plan, Austin, TX, USA Conover Commons, Redmond, WA, USA Olympia, WA, USA Stonefields Auckland, NZ Lester St, Hobsonville, NZ Buckley Terraces, Hobsonville, NZ Chestercourts, Christchurch, NZ The Altair, Wellington, NZ 55 Duke St, Three Kings, Auckland, NZ
D
Supporting policy and research
D
Sustainable medium-density housing: A resource book Breaking New Ground Housing, South Africa Assessing the physical characteristics of medium density mixed housing in South Africa Moreland City Council Report, Australia Minneapolis, MN, USA Missing Middle Housing Seattle, WA, USA Arlington, VA, USA Gentle Density Article City of Edmonton, Canada Toronto, Canada "Missing Middle" Study on Ontario Missing Middle Housing as an emerging trend for building
R
Criticisms and issues
Criticism