NEW YORK: The five hundred and fifty-seventh entry for the seniors housing Global Awards for 2015 has been received.
Is the era of the micro apartment over before it even got going? In New South Wales new state government rules have slapped a minimum size on new studios of 35 square metres.
While planners in New York, Tokyo and other Asian cities have loosened their restrictions to deal with pressure on housing, Macquarie St has slammed the door on small units. Its new planning regulations come into effect on July 17.
New South Wales Department of Planning deputy secretary Alison Frame says the new regulations are crucial and provide certainty to buyers and developers.
“With studios becoming an increasingly popular apartment type, we need to maximise their liveability and ensure they are a viable option,” she says.
Some housing experts claim the minimum sizes will protect home buyers from unscrupulous developers, but others say they will make owning a home even less affordable.
