Description: From 2016 to 2021, multi-apartment developments accounted for 70% of housing delivered in Greater Sydney, signalling a shift toward higher-density living across Australia’s capital cities. As a result, more families are raising children in apartments—by choice and due to pressures such as affordability and housing supply. In Sydney, over 25% of apartment households are families with children under 15, rising to more than 45% of preschool-aged children in high-density housing in areas such as Parramatta. As fewer families live in detached dwellings, the need to design liveable, family-friendly high-density environments has become increasingly urgent.

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The Healthy Higher Density Living for Families with Children Guide responds to this challenge, recognising that good design can improve outcomes for families already living in higher density and encourage others to do the same—supporting more sustainable, compact, and inclusive cities.

 

Developed from the Healthy High Density for Kids study in partnership with the City of Parramatta, and with input from the Centre for Population Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, and Cities for Play, the Guide showcases best-practice projects and provides design guidance to support the health and wellbeing of children and families in high-density housing and neighbourhoods.