Density of use essentially describes the intensity with which building zones are utilised for living and working. In this sense, it shows the demands placed on individual building zones. Density of use is expressed as the number of residents and workers per hectare of building zone space (residential, mixed-use and centre zones).

The more centrally located a building zone is, the more intensely it will be used. Density of use is thus higher in urban communities (which are also generally easier to access) than in rural communities. For example, in 2015 the average value for density of use in large cities (large centres) was 145 users/ha of building zonespace, while in touristic communities it was only 25 people/ha of building zonespace.

Density of use is statistically independent of building density and is therefore a good instrument for aligning settlement patterns and transport requirements. Basically, the greater the density of use, the better the transport connections in the zone should be. During spatial planning processes, targets for intensity of use and future infrastructure capacity can thus be defined and managed independently of building density in a given building zone.