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Low-rise housing isn't really the problem. Take Barcelona, for example, which has nearly twice the population density as New York City—the U.S.'s densest city.
by the_gastropod 8y ago
Low-rise housing isn't really the problem. Take Barcelona, for example, which has nearly twice the population density as New York City—the U.S.'s densest city. Barcelona does have high-rises, but much of its density can be attributed to its narrow streets.
So, while bulldozing low-rise buildings in poor neighborhoods to build highrise apartment buildings would increase density, it's a very costly and inequitable way of doing it, especially when SO much area of NYC (and all U.S. cities) is designated exclusively for personal automobiles.
- Steltek 8y agoHighrise apartments ("bulk housing") is the obvious outcome of where ridiculous zoning has taken us. If cities were allowed to organically build upwards in duplexes and triplexes, we'd have naturally higher density/capacity without the need for adrenaline shots of highrise apartment buildings.
- ghaff 8y ago>If cities were allowed to organically build upwards Zoning is no doubt sometimes the issue. But there's a lot of evidence that, given availability of land at the time of initial construction, the organic behavior tends toward detached single-family homes and duplexes.
- bluGill 8y agoinitial construction is not an end state though. Towns change over time. Some locations are desirable and rich will always keep them like that because they are willing to pay for it. Some locations become less desirable and the rich move out leaving a poorer class to move in, this class is willing for an apartment because it is cheaper for them.
- ghaff 8y ago>Towns change over time. Indeed, they do. And I'm not defending all resistance to zoning changes, etc. But, if you have a large swath of 1-2 story housing, even in the absence of significant zoning and permitting restrictions, it's probably going to be a very slow process for that to densify into 3-5 story housing organically.
- ghaff 8y agoThat New York City number is for all 5 boroughs though including Staten Island, which is almost suburban. Manhattan is about twice as dense as Barcelona. (Density numbers are always tricky. The figures change a lot depending upon which boundaries you use.)
- vonmoltke 8y ago> especially when SO much area of NYC (and all U.S. cities) is designated exclusively for personal automobiles What roads are exclusively for personal automobiles?
- the_gastropod 8y agoResidential on-street parking for starters.