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Examining Density |
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■ The nature of housing demand is shifting dramatically toward higher-density housing types. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) reports that after more than 40 years during which families with children dominated American housing markets, demand is shifting to a much more dispersed pattern in which no single demographic group dominates. ■ The public sector can no longer afford to subsidize lower-density, sprawl-dominated development. A Lincoln Institute for Land Policy study found that northeast states could save $40 billion by pursuing more compact, higher-density development. States and cities cannot afford to spend billions on sprawl generated infrastructure. ■ Higher densities are essential to mitigate escalating traffic congestion. Sprawl is the chief culprit in clogging local streets: moreover gasoline consumption rises in direct proportion to decreased density among American cities. ■ Higher densities are critical to creating mixed income housing and diverse neighborhoods. Higher densities can provide opportunities to use more expensive units to subsidize lower-cost units in the same development or neighborhood. Increased densities can provide resources to pay for parks, schools, and other amenities essential to building livable neighborhoods. ■ What are traditional community densities? Urban neighborhoods often accommodate densities ranging from 40 to more than 100 units per acre, with a broad mix of housing types and heights. Boston’s historic Back Bay has a net density of more than 80 units per acre. ■ What densities are required to create lively neighborhood main streets? Higher densities create walk-friendly, mixed-use districts. According to Goody Clancy & Associates, 20 to 40 units per acre – after subtracting land for streets, parks, and other public areas—would support roughly 30,000 square feet of shops, cafés, and restaurants.
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