5 Why Communities Resist Density - "Densification Discussions"

Aug 26, 2021

High density housing is not the cure-all for our housing crisis, according to our speakers. High density urban planning in Hawaii has been stymied because of poor housing design, and a lack of community engagement. If housing does not take into account its design and community input, then it creates conflict. Wendy talks about the psychology of housing and NIMBY-ism is a symptom of feeling threatened. Susan Kirsch presents on why communities resist density and embrace choice. Choon James states the importance of Oahu's sustainability and warns about the strain high density development could cause on the island's limited resources. Ron Iwami talks about preserving the beauty of the land and would rather Hawaii's lands be used as public gathering spaces or as ways to mitigate our food importation. Dr Wendy Sarkissian is a planner, advocate and author. She is expert in housing, community engagement, social planning and professional ethics. She seeks spirited ways to nurture an empowered and engaged citizenry. Wendy is the award-winning co-author of several books on community engagement and housing. She holds a doctorate in environmental ethics and a Masters of Town Planning. She is a Life Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. Wendy was formerly Adjunct Professor in the School of Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Susan Kirsch, Director, Catalysts for Local Control with a mission to educate, engage, and empower citizens to preserve a strong middle class of home owners and democracy itself Roles as a Community Advocate: Founder, Livable California; Chair, 2020 Nix-the-Nine Campaign; 2016 Candidate for the Marin County Board of Supervisors, Founder, Citizen Marin Choon James is originally from Singapore. She’s been a real estate broker in Oahu for over 30 years. She's been involved with land-use planning and good governance issues at Honolulu Hale. Choon is a long-time activist with “Keep The Country Country” to preserve rural resources, farmlands and open spaces for a thriving, diversified, and sustainable Oahu. Ron Iwami President of Friends of Kewalos, a non profit organization dedicated to Protect, Preserve, and Malama Kewalo Basin Park and the surrounding shoreline to ensure the recreational user will continue to have access and the ability to enjoy the area for future generations to come.