News BeepDec 1

Think tank says an overlooked solution to Australia’s housing crisis could unlock about 1 million new homes

Australia could unlock about a million new homes if just one in four standalone dwellings in major cities…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #AU #auckland #Australia #density #federalgovernment #gentledensity #Housing #localcouncil #stategovernment #supply
https://www.newsbeep.com/282695/

Brent ToderianOct 5
Many urbanists, myself included, call out all the boring technical jargon (& 3-letter acronyms…the worst) we use in the various city-buildings professions. But I’m also clearly a fan of “branding” good ideas so they’re memorable (eg my #GentleDensity term). What are your fav urbanism idea “brands?”
Brent ToderianJun 17, 2025
1. Wrongheaded sounding move by a city councillor in Edmonton, a city that’s generally been making good strategic moves around doing density better. 2. #GentleDensity is meant to support raising density that’s too low, not lowering density that’s smart and strategic (I coined the term in 2006).

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5epcbclnwnvbc4jyj7w4erkz/post/3lrtcmxdms22c
Brent ToderianMay 31, 2025
“Branding” good city-building ideas isn’t about attention—that usually fails. It’s best when it’s trying to solve a communication problem. For example, I came up with #GentleDensity in 2006 in Vancouver because we needed to talk about needed change in neighbourhoods that WASN’T about tall buildings.

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ny5w2k6brb2kdubxnevke6li/post/3lbl6zfnyak2p
Brent Toderian (@brenttoderian.bsky.social)

Whether we like it or not, “BRANDING” our good city-building ideas WORKS for spreading & strengthening those ideas. A good example is #MissingMiddle Housing via @opticosdesign.bsky.social, which has been even more effective than my #GentleDensity. What are YOUR FAV better city-building idea brands?

Bluesky Social
Yimby Earth has moved!Apr 25, 2025

Everyone who so wishes should be able to live in a gentle density urban neighbourhood on a single working class income. This has to be our goal.

And by gentle density I mean e.g. 7-8 floor perimeter blocks, mixed use, complete streets with cars as the lowest priority: the 15 minute city. That's gentle.

#Urbanism #GentleDensity

Cameron MacLeodJan 21, 2025

This has big Onion energy.

(1) https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/two-years-after-allowing-four-unit-multiplexes-in-residential-neighbourhoods-a-new-toronto-area-pilot/article_5e222914-d4ef-11ef-ae9f-3743ac761081.html?source=newsletter&utm_email=1B3C39ACA2AAAC6DB12B362B98CF3E1A
(2) https://theonion.com/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-blades-1819584036/

#Housing #Toronto #TOPoli #MissingMiddle #GentleDensity

Two years after allowing four-unit multiplexes in residential neighbourhoods, a new Toronto area pilot is testing sixplexes

If passed, the plan would see sixplexes allowed as a right, a move welcomed by the local councillor as a way to 'densify gently and over time.'

Toronto Star
Brent ToderianJan 17, 2025
Some historical precedents for ground-oriented denser housing choices (what I dubbed #GentleDensity and what @danielparolek.bsky.social called #MissingMiddle) make you melt. This is Schnoor Quarter in Bremen, Germany. Nothing stops us from building something like this today, except our rules.
Bluesky

Bluesky Social
Brent ToderianNov 23, 2024
Whether we like it or not, “BRANDING” our good city-building ideas WORKS for spreading & strengthening those ideas. A good example is #MissingMiddle Housing via @opticosdesign.bsky.social, which has been even more effective than my #GentleDensity. What are YOUR FAV better city-building idea brands?
Richard BloomfieldFeb 9, 2024
What would a transit oriented development look like near Galway city? Polysee have put together a video to visualise it.
#TransitOrientedDevelopment #GentleDensity #Transport #GalwayCity #Oranmore
https://youtube.com/watch?v=YbvihdC6SJY&si=0Ti9ew-7pMm_xupc
Housing Crisis: A Radical Solution in the West of Ireland

YouTube
Brendan BaxterMay 7, 2023

Today, I enjoyed leading an architectural tour that explored 'a century of gentle density in St Kilda and Elwood'.

Because ideas about what is 'good housing' and 'good density' evolve and change over time, I find community forums like this to be consistently educational and rewarding.

The tour was a joint event organised by Port Phillip Bicycle User Group and Jane's Walk. It was 1 of 5 Jane’s Walks events held in Melbourne this 🌧️ 💨 weekend.

Jane’s Walk is a global volunteer-led community movement, created in recognition of the ideas and legacy of Jane Jacobs.

#JanesWalk #GentleDensity #PublicMelbourne