Azra Ahamed: The Vertical Void: Social housing lost in urban density

This image resonates with my research on social housing and social sustainability by highlighting the disconnect between high-rise housing designs and the human-centred aspects essential to fostering vibrant communities. The towering structures, with their imposing and isolating presence, represent a model of urban housing that prioritizes density over the social well-being of its residents. In social sustainability terms, these environments often fail to support social interaction, community cohesion, and a sense of belonging—key dimensions of sustainable living. The lack of human presence and the monotonous architecture signify the detachment between people and their spaces, mirroring the challenges faced in many social housing projects where the focus on quantity undermines the quality of life. This image emphasizes the importance of integrating social sustainability into housing design, where creating socially inclusive, connected, and livable environments should take precedence over mere physical structures.