The Mathematics in Support of Urban Density

The strongest case for urban density can't be made in terms of aesthetics, according to this article.

1 minute read

March 30, 2022, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


French Density

cocoparisienne / Pixabay

Writing for Full Stack Economics, Alan Cole brings mathematics to bear on the contested ground between urban and the suburban. Proponents tend to make the case for either end of the development spectrum with appeals to aesthetics, according to Cole, but the strongest case in support of urban density can be made with math.

"The biggest virtues of denser cities flow from ironclad principles of geometry and arithmetic—along with some basic economic concepts," writes Cole.

Cole cites the affordability of housing (i.e., supply and demand), the geometry of travel distances, and the space disadvantage of cars to build this mathematical argument, which can be read in full at the link below.

Thursday, March 24, 2022 in Full Stack Economics

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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