Neste trabalho é enfocado o problema das densidades urbanas econômicas. É feita uma análise de alguns estudos existentes sobre a questão da densidade urbana ideal, sob o ponto de vista econômico, e avaliada, através de um modelo especialmente desenvolvido, qual a influência do custo do transporte coletivo na definição da densidade ideal. Também são discutidos, ainda que de forma não aprofundada, os limites de densidade populacional suportados pelo homem. As conclusões a que se chega são que as densidades econômicas, sob vários critérios, estão, seguramente, acima de 200 habitantes por hectare e que, os limites humanos situam-se em torno de 500 habitantes por hectare. Esses valores, quando comparados às densidades em torno de 40 habitantes por hectare apresentados pelas cidades médias brasileiras, comprovam a forma irracional com que o solo urbano vem sendo ocupado no país, constituindo, o fato, um dos graves problemas que hoje o Brasil enfrenta. / The issue of economical urban densities is analyzed in this study. Related studies about ideal urban densities under the economic point of view are initially discussed, leading to the development of a model designed to evaluate the influence of urban public transportation on the definition of economical densities. Some considerations about density population limits that human beings can bear are also presented. The results suggest that economical densities are over 200 persons/ha whereas the human limits are around 500 persons/ha. The comparison of these values with the density values of Brazilian medium-sized cities (around 40 persons/ha) shows that the urban land occupation in Brazil is not rational, which is currently a serious problems for the country.

Neste trabalho é enfocado o problema das densidades urbanas econômicas. É feita uma análise de alguns estudos existentes sobre a questão da densidade urbana ideal, sob o ponto de vista econômico, e avaliada, através de um modelo especialmente desenvolvido, qual a influência do custo do transporte coletivo na definição da densidade ideal. Também são discutidos, ainda que de forma não aprofundada, os limites de densidade populacional suportados pelo homem. As conclusões a que se chega são que as densidades econômicas, sob vários critérios, estão, seguramente, acima de 200 habitantes por hectare e que, os limites humanos situam-se em torno de 500 habitantes por hectare. Esses valores, quando comparados às densidades em torno de 40 habitantes por hectare apresentados pelas cidades médias brasileiras, comprovam a forma irracional com que o solo urbano vem sendo ocupado no país, constituindo, o fato, um dos graves problemas que hoje o Brasil enfrenta. / The issue of economical urban densities is analyzed in this study. Related studies about ideal urban densities under the economic point of view are initially discussed, leading to the development of a model designed to evaluate the influence of urban public transportation on the definition of economical densities. Some considerations about density population limits that human beings can bear are also presented. The results suggest that economical densities are over 200 persons/ha whereas the human limits are around 500 persons/ha. The comparison of these values with the density values of Brazilian medium-sized cities (around 40 persons/ha) shows that the urban land occupation in Brazil is not rational, which is currently a serious problems for the country.

La thèse s’intéresse aux enjeux de maîtrise de la croissance urbaine au travers du modèle de Ville Compacte et de sa caractéristique spatiale clé : la densité. Ce travail de doctorat s’inscrit dans une démarche théorique, méthodologique et empirique. Premièrement, la thèse replace la densité dans les modèles de microéconomie urbaine relatifs aux choix de localisation des agents. Nous identifions ainsi les différents déterminants de la localisation résidentielle (centre d’emploi, aménités, service résidentiel) et analysons l’organisation spatiale – dense ou dispersée – qui en découle. De plus, la thèse ne considère pas uniquement une densité mais des densités urbaines telles des densités de contenu (population, emploi) et de contenant (bâti). Elle met ainsi en évidence divers enjeux méthodologiques associés au traitement et à l’analyse des densités urbaines et propose une mesure plus juste de l’intensité de l’occupation de l’espace, le ratio de densité net. Pour illustrer ces résultats, deux études empiriques portant sur le Grand Dijon sont réalisées. La première consiste en une typologie des quartiers dijonnais qui met en relation les déterminants théoriques de choix de localisation et les types et niveaux de densités urbaines. La seconde étude empirique s’intéresse aux conditions d’acceptabilité des densités urbaines par les individus. Elle consiste en une évaluation hédonique appliquée au prix du logement qui appréhende la valorisation de la densité perçue (bâti) et de la densité en tant que vecteur d’interactions sociales. La thèse apporte des éclairages sur les conditions de réalisation et d’acceptation des politiques d’aménagement actuelles visant la Ville Compacte. / The thesis is focused on urban growth control challenge through the Compact City model and its key spatial characteristic: the density. This work deals both with a theoretical, methodological and empirical approach. First, we place ourselves in the theoretical framework of Urban Economic addressing agents’ location choices. We mobilize these theories to identify the key determinants of residential location (employment center, spatial amenities, housing’s service) and analyze the spatial organization that follows (dense or spread). This literature leads us to consider different types of density: structural density, population density and social density. This thesis highlights various methodological challenges associated with the treatment and analysis of urban densities and proposes a more accurate measure of the intensity of space occupancy, the net density ratio. To illustrate this results, we realize two empirical studies on the agglomeration of Grand Dijon. The first is a typology on Dijon urban area neighborhoods that links density levels to theoretical determinants of residential location. The second empirical study implements the method of hedonic prices applied to housing. Relying on the methods and tools of spatial econometrics, we estimate the valuation of the density on the Grand Dijon and identify the conditions for its acceptance by individuals. This thesis sheds light on the conditions of realization and acceptance of current planning policies aiming at achieving Compact City.