Scientific American presents evidence that "high density living" is hardwired in humankind, and as populations grow, density increases.
The report, produced by a team of anthropologists and ecologists, studied 339 hunter-gatherer societies, and found that people tend to live more densely as their populations grow. In fact, "...(f)or every doubling of population, the home ranges of hunter-gatherer groups increased by only 70 percent."
Reporter Tim De Chant says this evidence is very significant:
"Every additional person requires less land than the previous one. That's an important statement. Not only does it say we're hardwired for density, it also says a group becomes 15 percent more efficient at extracting resources from the land every time their population doubles."
Read the full story: Hunter-Gatherers Show Human Populations Are Hardwired for Density
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Allowing more density can increase the housing supply, but does the attendant rise in land prices cancel out the benefits?
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Controversial Texas housing law has 'directly facilitated' over 1,250 new homes
SB 840 allows developers to build multifamily housing by-right on lots zoned for commercial use without applying to a zoning change.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Buses travel at 5mph along this route in NYC. The Bronx's first-ever busway looks to change that
Prior to the busway, buses on the Bx36 route traveled as slowly as 5 miles per hour.
Pittsburg launches 'EZ permits,' aims for one-day turnaround for low-risk permits
The pilot ‘fast lane’ for permits is part of a bundle of modernization efforts for Pittsburg’s permitting process.
Eating, littering on Singapore buses now a fineable offense
Passengers who put other riders in danger may be charged thousands of Singapore dollars.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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