WSLHD_CPH_Healthy High Density Living for Families with Chil

Overview From 2016 to 2021, multi-apartment developments have made up 70% of housing delivered in Greater Sydney, 1 signalling a significant shift in the urban future of Australia’s capital cities towards higher density living. With this shift, comes an increase in the number of families raising children in apartments, both through lifestyle choice and due to external pressures such as affordability and housing supply. In Sydney, over 25% of apartment households are families with children under the age of 15. 2 These trends are visible not only in inner-city areas but also in outer western suburbs such as Parramatta, where over 45% of preschool-aged children live in high-density housing. 3 With less families raising children within the “traditional” detached dwelling, designing liveable high-density environments which consider the needs of this demographic has never been more pressing. The Healthy Higher Density Living for Families with Children: An Advocacy Planning and Design Guide (The Guide) has been developed with the recognition that good design can both improve the lives of families that are already living in higher-density and encourage more families to make that choice, resulting in a sustainable and compact city which accommodates for diverse needs. 4 Building on the results of the Healthy High Density for Kids qualitative study, in partnership with City of Parramatta, a joint working group including the Centre for Population Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, and Cities for Play have developed this document. The aim of the Guide is to showcase best practice projects and provide guidelines to support the health of children and families living in high density housing and neighbourhoods.

The document underwent extensive consultation prior to this edition being finalised.

5 Healthy Higher Density Living for Families with Children: An Advocacy, Planning and Design Guide