PLAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
UNDERSTANDING DENSITY
Real-Time, Metrics-Based, Neighborhood Design App
Plan Your Neighborhood Test neighborhood configurations to create the most walkable, sustainable, and equitable future for your community.
The Holistic Housing Lab is a design-centered research platform dedicated to exploring housing as an interconnected system shaped by people and place. © 2026 Karla Sierralta & Brian Strawn
Holistic Housing Lab's Holistic Housing Design Toolkit
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PLAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
In this set: • Digital App Instructions • Variables include: Density, Clustering, Street Grid, Street Width, Transit. • Attributes include: Walkability, Outdoor Comfort, Views to Ocean, Potential Solar Energy, Shade on Facades
Holistic Housing Lab's Holistic Housing Design Toolkit
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PLAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
At a glance Variables and Impact
1 Density
Walkability, outdoor comfort, shade and amenities increase with density, while ample space for solar energy generation may decrease.
2 Clustering
Increasing clustering optimizes space and provides opportunities from reduced car trips for frequent errands or expanding or conserving open spaces such as parks and plazas.
3 Street Grid
Block and street orientation affect the way people move, but also how buildings occupy space mainly impacting view corridors.
4 Street Width
The width of the street may influence activities and patterns such as providing space for bike lanes or parking. This dimension mainly affects walkability and shading.
5 Transit
Transit stops increase mobility, amenities and support density clusters.
Holistic Housing Lab's Holistic Housing Design Toolkit
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PLAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
At a glance Attributes and Impact
1 Walkability
Walkability is related to proximity of structures, amenities available, shade and street design.
2 Outdoor Comfort
Comfort is based on an assessment of air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). It is directly related to shading and orientation of buildings.
3 Views to Ocean
View corridors are dependent on building orientation and heights of surrounding structures.
4 Potential Solar Energy
The potential of generating solar energy depends of area available on rooftops for photovoltaic panels (PV).
5 Shade on Facades
Shade is impacted by orientation of buildings and surrounding elements. The amount of shade on a facade can determine if a people can walk in the shade or if a room in a building receives enough natural light.
Holistic Housing Lab's Holistic Housing Design Toolkit
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PLAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
What’s on the App?
Attributes See resulting trade-offs including: - Walkability - Outdoor comfort - Views of ocean - Solar energy - Shade
Variables Adjust five interrelated variables and their settings to see changes in massing and attribute trade-offs
Holistic Housing Lab's Holistic Housing Design Toolkit
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PLAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Think about:
Which neighborhood configurations work best for your future walkable, sustainable and equitable community?
Holistic Housing Lab's Holistic Housing Design Toolkit
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PLAN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
The Plan Your Neighborhood App was developed by KPF Urban Interface.
To Access App Visit: • www.holistichousinglab.org
Pair with: • Density Alphabet Cards
Compare to: • Imagine Your Community Cards
Holistic Housing Lab's Holistic Housing Design Toolkit
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