BASEL.- In Switzerland, the concept of density has noticeably negative connotations and is often used to provoke fear. Political campaigns with images of old towns overrun by high-rise buildings illustrate an alleged ‘proximity stress’ (Dichtestress) and make balanced discussion impossible. The exhibition ‘Dichtelust – Forms of Urban Coexistence in Switzerland’ (running from 24/11/2018 to 5/5/2019), which the S AM Swiss Architecture Museum has developed with the support of the Canton Basel-City Construction and Transport Department, refutes these irrational arguments and demonstrates the real meaning of density: the thoughtful and compact utilisation of buildable territory. It examines different forms of historical density and contemporary redensification, and clarifies how density contributes to quality of life by creating tangible added value for the individual, for society and for the environment. The publication ‘Dichtelust – Formen des urbanen Zusammenlebens in der Schweiz’ (in German) has been published with the Christoph Merian Verlag to accompany the exhibition.

From proximity stress to a lust for density
The exhibition first addresses the misnomer ‘proximity stress’, then examines how this term (fuelled by the tabloid press and populist politics) has managed to become part of everyday Swiss vocabulary. The prejudices against density need to be explained. To this end, the first room of the exhibition looks at the question of how density is defined. However, it also shows that quantitative measurements (such as the floor area ratio, which is the ratio of the total floor area to the site area) are insufficient when it comes to describing the qualities of density. Equal densities (or floor area ratios) can describe different atmospheres. The focus is thus shifted from quantitative criteria to the qualitative potential of density.

Density on display: 25 positions on density
For the museum’s large hall, 25 architectural offices were contacted and asked to submit projects in which density creates added value. Applied well, density can be beneficial for everyone involved: For instance, it reduces the need for resources and prevents one-sided utilisation (e.g. solely commercial or residential) as well as commuting and the motorised private transport associated with it. Dense, mixeduse programming, in which quantitative and qualitative criteria of density are well combined, can promote interaction, diversity and efficiency. Various bestpractice examples reveal the possibilities of such an architecture: They strive for high occupancy, but also show how open spaces balance out the built-up area.

‘Basel density’: the transformation sites and their link to historical density
The third and fourth exhibition rooms are devoted to ‘Basel density’. With the support of the Canton Basel-City Construction and Transport Department, they show how Basel is densifying today. Here, there is great potential for development through densifying and optimising the city’s underused industrial sites – valuable reserves that can become a new part of the urban space. The planning and communication for these projects, including successfully involving citizens in their design, present major challenges because the rising density in the city often arouses fears among the population. This contrasts with the positive perception of Basel’s historical density and densification, as demonstrated in the exhibition with the aid of historical paintings. The closely built baroque townhouses and narrow alleys in the mediaeval town centre show how density in the historical context was, and continues to be, experienced positively.

The large-scale developments in Basel presented in these two rooms differ greatly in their goals. However, they all aim to translate higher density into qualities that make living together appealing again, much like their historical predecessors.

Basel city model and looking into the future of Basel's urban development
Finally, a large-scale wall drawing by the illustrators 3rei5ünf6echs shows the city of Basel with its planned site developments. On top of this, another feature is to be added to the S AM during the exhibition: the Basel city model on the ground floor of the Canton Basel-City Construction and Transport Department at Dufourstrasse 40 in Basel. When the exhibition ends, the panorama by 3rei5ünf6echs will be moved into the same room, where, together with the city model, it will provide a glimpse into the future of Basel’s urban development.