2 ms·
Demand isn't unlimited, and you have the causation mostly backwards. Cities being successful causes people to flock to them, which means there's demand for dens
by TulliusCicero 5y ago
Demand isn't unlimited, and you have the causation mostly backwards. Cities being successful causes people to flock to them, which means there's demand for density.
The problem is that it isn't just those on the right opposed to density -- the left is little better. Sure, progressives are largely okay with what density already exists, but propose upzoning and they flip out. Just look at the California state legislature, or major west coast cities.
- imtringued 5y agoDemand is pseudo unlimited. The real problem is betting on a single location. All 300 million Americans won't fit into new york. Why not build more new yorks?
- jjk166 5y agoNew York became a hub for commerce and culture because it was a very successful port city. With the completion of the Erie canal, it connected the American heartland to the Atlantic Ocean. This naturally led to it being the main port for immigration as large numbers of people came to the US in search of economic opportunity. Decades of sitting at the center of the northeast corridor, the richest metropolitan area in human history, has made it a solid contender for the financial capital of the world. You can't simply build more New Yorks, the geography and history that produced it are unique. Of course not everyone wants to live in New York, indeed there are many cities that each have their own unique circumstances drawing vast numbers of people, and all of them experience great demand. But there's a reason you can't just through up a bunch of skyscrapers in South Dakota and get everyone to move there.