New housing developments displace vulnerable persons

Focusing exclusively on new housing developments to counter the housing crisis is not sustainable, says David Kaufmann. His research group has been able to show that vulnerable persons are displaced to a much greater extent than previously thought in the Swiss canton of Zürich. Build, build, build is the dominant strategy to address the current housing shortage. In the Zürich context, developing new housing means densification, whereby new buildings are constructed within already existing settlements rather than on greenfields. 'We need accompanying policy measures for densification.' David Kaufmann Densification is necessary because we need new housing. It also protects undeveloped land. In addition, it helps to lower per capita CO₂ emissions because it can reduce mobility stemming from urban sprawl.