Filling in the gaps | Reimagining underutilised city space to promote sustainable intensification

Author: Hunter Dale

Supervisors: Tobias Danielmeier Graeme Campbell

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1 August 2025

 

Dale, H. (2025). Filling in the gaps | Reimagining underutilised city space to promote sustainable intensification [Master's thesis, Otago Polytechnic]. Research Bank. https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.7241

 

Abstract

The existing residential space in New Zealand’s context is significantly impacted by housing shortages and a poor quality of housing stock. Current methods of urban sprawl accompanied by the detached dwelling remain as the predominant method of housing expansion to remedy these issues. However, this outward expansion is widely recognised for its detrimental effects on the natural environment and the overall wellbeing and lifestyle of communities. These challenges outline the urgent need for alternative, more sustainable approaches to housing development. This thesis addresses these issues, by proposing an alternative approach to housing, focussing on the densification of underutilised spaces within urban areas through the concept of ‘finding space’. This involves identifying overlooked or previously unsuitable sites for development and implementing densification techniques categorised as ‘Above,’ ‘On,’ and ‘Below’ alongside adaptive reuse of existing buildings / structures. The project explores the importance of context-sensitive densification to achieve high quality urban density. It conducts a thorough analysis of the site's context to inform the design process, aiming to enhance the existing urban fabric through densification and contribute positively to the city's overall development. The proposed architectural outcome, named ‘(car)Park Life’ is a high-density, multifunctional apartment building located in an existing car park building in Dunedin’s Central City. This design challenges the conventional detached dwelling model by utilising shared resources, community living, and a blend of public and private spaces in order to increase quality high density living. Additionally, the project adds to the urban fabric by picking up key contextual aspects and increases the functionality of the site, and wider city. Ultimately, the research demonstrates how context-driven densification can lead to high quality urban development, offering a viable model to address New Zealand’s housing challenges.

 

Keywords

urban development, sustainable housing, densification, architecture

 

Licence

A copy of the thesis is publicly available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

This licence applies except where otherwise indicated, especially for images.