From Principles to Practice DIGITAL

14Further measures to accelerate high-quality, socially beneficial development include fast-tracking approvals for projects with clear public benefits – such as signifi- cant provision of affordable housing units or community amenities – enhancing both project viability and policy implementation. Offering lower mortgage rates for socially responsible developers and high-quality pro- jects may further encourage investment in developments that prioritize long-term social and economic well-being. BALANCED DENSIFICATION, CHILE In 2014, Chile introduced the National Policy for Urban Development (PNDU) to create fairer and more sustaina- ble cities. To support this, the National Council for Urban Development (CNDU) launched the Balanced Densifica - tion strategy to manage urban growth while maximizing benefits and minimizing negative impacts. Aligned with recommendations from UN-Habitat and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Chile’s approach prioritizes densification that enhances connectivity, reduces socio-spatial segregation and ensures land serves public needs. The CNDU addressed the concerns of communities regarding overcrowding and infrastructure by defining four principles: efficiency (optimizing infrastructure and promoting mixed-use spaces), equity (ensuring afforda - ble access to urban opportunities), harmony (ensuring that new developments integrate well with existing neighbourhoods and promote the sustainable use of land and public space) and cohesion (building strong community ties). By following these, Chile is working towards making densification a tool for more inclusive and liveable cities. ZEIS – SPECIAL ZONES OF SOCIAL INTEREST, BRAZIL This law helped cities in Brazil to rezone areas of land to increase the levels of housing, as well as provide targeted services for neighbourhoods and districts. A common use was for the rezoning of informal settle- ments to allow them to receive basic city services.7 15APPROACH 2 Instil land use review processes Instilling land use review processes that require proof of quality – such as adherence to the Davos Baukultur Quality System – at national, regional and local levels ensures that development meets long-term goals. Spa - tial planning principles benefit from formulating a clear aspiration for high overall quality and defining what quality means to the municipality. This fundamental quality standard must be specified at the appropriate level, ensuring that the objectives to be achieved are clear. Asking project developers to address key princi- ples like diversity and sense of place can help ensure that the municipality and developers cater to a broad range of stakeholders. The eight criteria of the Davos Baukultur quality system provide a comprehensive framework for defining and assessing quality standards in development, ensuring that these objectives are met consistently. Additionally, quality standards and objec- tives can be more richly embedded through integrating independent review of development projects and initi- atives by expert and community review panels at key stages throughout the process. THE NEW EUROPEAN BAUHAUS Started in 2020 by the European Commission, the New European Bauhaus (NEB) is a policy and funding initiative focused on building sustainability into the built environ- ment. It emphasizes quality as a key objective, along with sustainability and inclusivity, and promotes the inte- gration of quality criteria into the planning process. Here, quality is defined as the integration of beauty, aesthetics, healthy and safe spaces, and the quality of experience.8EMBEDDING BAUKULTUR IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MONTRÉAL Since 2019, Montréal has integrated the principles of the Davos Baukultur Quality System into its 2030 Agenda and quality toolkit to ensure high standards in urban devel- opment. This approach mandates that land use review processes require proof of quality, not just at the outset of projects, but over time as well. By embedding criteria such as diversity and sense of place, Montréal encour - ages developers, architects and planners to consider the broader needs of various stakeholders. These criteria help ensure that developments contribute positively to the city’s social, cultural and environmental fabric, creating long-term value for both the community and the city. This process supports national, regional and local authorities in holding developers accountable to high-quality stand- ards, benefiting both urban growth and its inhabitants. Read more in Design Montreal’s Quality Toolkit. Getty Images (left and right) Getty Images