Question

The term "residential density" in urban planning refers to

• A. The height of buildings
• B. The number of housing units per hectare or acre
• C. The variety of housing typologies
• D. The distance between neighbourhoods

Hint:

\textbf{Residential Density:} A measure of the intensity of residential land use.
Most commonly expressed as \textbf{dwelling units per unit of land area} (e.g., units per hectare, units per acre).
Other related measures include population density and Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
Density influences urban form, infrastructure demand, and character of neighborhoods.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Residential density is a measure used in urban planning and land use management to quantify the intensity of residential development in a given area. It typically refers to the number of dwelling units (housing units like houses, apartments) per unit of land area. Common ways to express residential density:
Dwelling Units per Hectare (du/ha) or Dwelling Units per Acre (du/acre): This is the most common measure. (Matches option b).
Population Density: Number of people per unit area (e.g., persons/ha or persons/km$^2$). This is related to residential density (as dwelling units house people) but is a different measure.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) or Floor Space Index (FSI): The ratio of total floor area of a building to the area of its plot. While FAR controls building bulk and indirectly influences density, "residential density" as a direct measure usually refers to units per land area. Let's evaluate the options:
(a) The height of buildings: Building height is one factor that can influence density (taller buildings on a given plot can allow more units), but density itself is measured by units per area, not just height.
(b) The number of housing units per hectare or acre: This is the standard definition of residential density.
(c) The variety of housing typologies: This refers to the mix of housing types (e.g., single-family, townhouses, apartments). While different typologies have different typical densities, "variety" itself is not the definition of density.
(d) The distance between neighbourhoods: This relates to urban form, connectivity, or scale, not directly to residential density within a neighborhood. Therefore, "residential density" in urban planning refers to the number of housing units per unit of land area (e.g., per hectare or acre). \[ \boxed{\text{The number of housing units per hectare or acre}} \]