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I think the bigger elephant in all of our rooms is climate change. Density is by far more climate-sustainable (as well as more environmentally sustainable in ot
by xenocyon 6y ago
I think the bigger elephant in all of our rooms is climate change. Density is by far more climate-sustainable (as well as more environmentally sustainable in other ways) than sprawl. In addition, global economic forces are creating a mass move to cities around the world anyway. So no matter what we think we want right now, we will at some point in the present or future be forced to reckon with density either pleasantly or unpleasantly.
Now with that said, there are many intelligent ways to design density so that it is not unpleasant. Paying attention to green space and the natural world, space and light in general, and careful design for both function and form can make urban density a thing that is not only sustainable but emotionally/esthetically appealing. (Unfortunately this is not necessarily how density develops in cities, current incentives often instead favoring development that prioritizes flash, affluence appeal, and short-term private economic gain.)
- EricE 6y ago"Density is by far more climate-sustainable (as well as more environmentally sustainable in other ways) than sprawl." Care to back that up?
- mcguire 6y agoWell, certainly bacteria and viruses have an easier time getting around.
- robrenaud 6y agoYeah, but there is not going to be a vaccine for global warming.
- xenocyon 6y agoIt is quite a well-established and uncontroversial fact; here is one article of many that discuss this: https://phys.org/news/2014-01-carbon-footprint-reveal-urban-suburban.html https://phys.org/news/2014-01-carbon-footprint-reveal-urban-...
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- ric2b 6y agoTransportation costs for everything go down, including food, water, electricity, etc. Public transit becomes viable and, if well managed, superior to driving a car. People tend to walk more instead of relying on vehicles for everything. Buildings and roads can serve more people per material used. I could go on, but having things close to each other makes using and bringing those things together cheaper.