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Short abstract:

The paper examines recent efforts to develop decision-support systems based on key performance indicators for assessing, monitoring and anticipating the implications of urban densification measures.

Long abstract:

Cities are under pressure to decarbonise, counteract biodiversity loss, and provide adequate housing and liveable built environments at the same time - which is particularly challenging as the building sector is responsible for a huge share in greenhouse gas emissions, waste production, depletion of materials, and consumption of energy and resources. Against this background, calls to prioritise conversion, infill development and building extension over new builds have gained prominence in urban planning in recent years, often referring to models and concepts such as the 15-minute city, the compact city, or dreifache Innenentwicklung presenting densification as the way to make cities prosperous, liveable and sustainable. While these concepts are almost universally accepted, evidence regarding impacts is sparse and patchy. This paper examines recent efforts to develop decision-support systems based on key performance indicators (KPIs) for assessing, monitoring and anticipating the implications of densification measures. These models, metrics and KPIs can be understood as inscription devices that will affect both the actors using them and the objects they refer to as well as the arenas where they are enacted. Drawing from valuation studies, critical political geography, work on epistemic infrastructures and governmentality studies, it investigates what is considered worth measuring, what is made visible, what is being valued and by whom, and whether the models allow for reflection on interrelations, trade-offs and tensions between KPIs. In particular, it attends to the question whether and how aspects of affordability, equity, social segregation, displacements, inclusion and exclusion are incorporated into these metrics and models.