> It makes me wonder why new developments today are always built in the flattest places -- the flatness practically forces us to include a lot of empty space, u

> It makes me wonder why new developments today are always built in the flattest places -- the flatness practically forces us to include a lot of empty space, usually in the form of lawns. I think you've got the causality backwards there. A lot of people still want lawns and flat land is easier to build on. There's nothing about building in a plain that prevents building dense.