Developing A Propensity For Density

Roger K. Lewis of the Washington Post wonders if people fear change or density.

1 minute read

January 1, 2004, 9:00 AM PST

By Connie Chung


"People fear change. Proposals to modify existing communities conjure up visions of worsening gridlock, increased public service demands, higher taxes, lower property values, dysfunctional schools and unwanted social encounters....Polarization between proponents and opponents of growth is as great as ever. Those who manage and enable growth--real estate developers, designers, public-sector planners and regulators--have not succeeded in getting their message across. For whatever reasons, they have failed to educate or persuade the public they serve, and on which they depend....If anything is wrong with future development plans for these places, one already served by transit and the other awaiting transit, it's the proposed densities. They might be too low."

Thanks to Connie Chung

Saturday, December 27, 2003 in The Washington Post

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