Density

Density without walkability

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 15:35

I had heard of “dense sprawl” and “density without walkability” in the past, but before spending a week in Jerusalem last month, I had never really lived through these problems.

My parents (who I was staying with) rented a unit in a high-rise condo complex called Holyland Tower.  Although Holyland Tower was the tallest building in the area, there were numerous mid-rise buildings, and lots of two-and three-story apartment and condo buildings.  While walking through the idea, I saw nothing resembling a single-family home.  In sum, this area was a pretty dense neighborhood in a pretty dense city (Jerusalem’s overall density is roughly comparable to that of the city of San Francisco).

Density with Variety

David Baker Architects latest public housing project in Oakland, California shows that high-density living can be attractive and feature a variety of housing types, writes Allison Arieff.
31 October 2011 - 5:00am
The Atlantic Cities

Corridor Density Plan Triples Housing Values

In Vancouver, B.C., a newly approved plan to increase density along the Cambie corridor is sending housing prices skyrocketing and causing concern among residents about the character of their neighborhood.
28 October 2011 - 11:00am
CBC News

Cities Aren't About Happiness

Elizabeth Farrelly suggests that happiness is only a possible side benefit to the true goal of cities, which is "...getting stuff done and, more importantly, generating the ideas that get stuff done."
24 October 2011 - 2:00pm
The Sydney Morning Herald

Take a Tour of the Revitalized South Bronx

In this article and accompanying video, architecture critic Michael Kimmelman and Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden tour the Melrose section of the South Bronx. Along the way, affordability and density are apparent hallmarks of the undertaking.
5 October 2011 - 5:00am
The New York Times

Learning from TTI

Tue, 10/04/2011 - 12:18

In a recent post, Todd Litman criticized the Texas Transportation Institute's Urban Mobility Report.  In this post, I'd like to do something a little different: assume that TTI's congestion estimates are more or less reliable, and try to learn something from them.  So here are a few observations:

Mixed-Use Prevails in 2030 Land Use Projections

A new land use study based on the 2008 "comp plans" data reveals a significant shift toward mixed-use and transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the Twin Cities seven-county metro area.
8 September 2011 - 11:00am
Finance And Commerce

Density = Productivity and Jobs

Economist Ryan Avent writes that the statistics show that people who live in denser cities have better jobs and are more productive.
5 September 2011 - 9:00am
The New York Times

Skyscrapers and the World of Tomorrow

Are skyscrapers the way to achieve great density, or a form of retro-urbanism that should be retired? With a debate simmering in the planning world over the energy efficiency and urban necessity of tall towers, Planetizen's staff decided to determine the answer once and for all.
1 September 2011 - 11:20am

Density is in our Blood

Scientific American presents evidence that "high density living" is hardwired in humankind, and as populations grow, density increases.
18 August 2011 - 10:00am
Scientific American

Targeted, Hyper-Dense Neighborhoods Can Reduce Emissions

Alex Steffen presents the idea that by focusing development into "hyperdense" communities you create a host of benefits that reduce climate change by reducing trips.
9 August 2011 - 6:00am
TED

Burbs Becoming "Mini-Cities"

Jenny Sullivan of Builder Magazine spots a trend for slightly increased densities in suburban towns, creating urban-lite communities that are attracting city dwellers who would never have dreamed of living in the burbs.
3 August 2011 - 8:00am
Builder Magazine

Fusion Businesses as Indicators of Urban Change

Chuck Wolfe explains how the fusion of laundromats and dining are evidence of the evolving city and the ongoing need for regulatory reform.
17 July 2011 - 9:00am
Sustainable Cities Collective

Small Cities and Transit-Dedicated Streets

It is commonly accepted that most U.S. cities couldn't support transit-only streets. But Wellington, New Zealand is a model any U.S. city could follow, writes Jarrett Walker.
24 June 2011 - 8:00am

High Rises: One Size That Doesn't Fit All

Two big names are calling for more high rise development and less of the historic preservation efforts that have often prevented it in dense urban areas. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Inga Saffron says they're wrong.
11 June 2011 - 9:00am
The Philadelphia Inquirer

Density Can Drive Prosperity

David Roberts at Grist argues that density doesn't just have those hippie benefits like improving the environment or creating communities - it also can create engines of prosperity and economic growth.
31 May 2011 - 2:00pm
Grist

Density, Resources and Greatness

Density reduces costs and helps make places more sustainable, according to this post in a series on "great places".
26 May 2011 - 9:00am
Grist

Density is Good for Cities, But is it Healthy for Kids?

Yes, people walk around more, less obesity, etc. But a report shows that city kids are less frequently allowed outside to play for safety concerns.
24 May 2011 - 11:00am
New Geography

The Myth of Zoning and Property Value

Old Urbanist argues that zoning has never effectively preserved property values, but has done exactly the opposite by not allowing more valuable uses to replace less valuable ones.
23 May 2011 - 6:00am
Old Urbanist

Despite Smear, Vancouver Density is Key to City

In Vancouver, urban density is being attacked as a detriment to the city. But as this column argues, the city's emphasis on density and transit accessibility is what makes the city great.
18 May 2011 - 6:00am
The Globe and Mail
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