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There is a very zealous nature to pro-density advocates online. I appreciate the passion of these people, but I admit I very much find solace that all people pe

• ericmay 4y ago
  This is true, but then you'll also have to deal with the negative externalities such as traffic, car costs (I think I read here that the median car cost was like $48,000 now?) high gas prices, traffic fatalities, road maintenance (higher taxes), and political unrest since people won't be able to afford to live in homes. But going back to the pro-density thing. I think what is misunderstood is that most people arguing for more density aren't arguing for everyone to live in Manhattan - that's a big problem too. They're advocating for mixed-use, medium density walkable neighborhoods. These neighborhoods would include single family homes with yards and sidewalks, but also cafes, elementary schools, gyms, grocery stores, bars, and office space too. You wouldn't have to drive a car everywhere but obviously you could own as many as you'd like. This would also help the local economy because you can pay a barista that lives in your neighborhood (maybe in a townhouse or a condo while they attend college) instead of a rubber manufacturer 4 states away.
  • kory 4y ago
    > This is true, but then you'll also have to deal with the negative externalities such as traffic, car costs (I think I read here that the median car cost was like $48,000 now?) high gas prices, traffic fatalities, road maintenance (higher taxes) Society has already decided that these costs are well worth it for the value of living in suburbia > and political unrest since people won't be able to afford to live in homes. It's debatable whether it's the need for a detached house that makes housing unaffordable outside of city cores. Again, the solution is to decentralize. > They're advocating for mixed-use, medium density walkable neighborhoods. Great, but they love to select their desired area then try to force changes on existing residents that purchased a home in the area for a suburban feel. That's the concern people have. Nobody would mind if density advocates founded a new jurisdiction to build a place like this.
    • ericmay 4y ago
      > Society has already decided that these costs are well worth it for the value of living in suburbia Maybe - I mean I'm not sure that society is really making a choice since there doesn't seem to be any sort of market mechanic to decide what to build. But also you'll notice that houses in dense areas are more expensive than suburban homes so the market has decided that the suburban homes are less valuable. It's also not necessarily a good argument in terms of what we should or should not do. > It's debatable whether it's the need for a detached house that makes housing unaffordable outside of city cores. Again, the solution is to decentralize. We are decentralized. > Great, but they love to select their desired area then try to force changes on existing residents that purchased a home in the area for a suburban feel. That's the concern people have. Nobody would mind if density advocates founded a new jurisdiction to build a place like this. See point #1. Alternatively if the people who move there "decide as a society" that it should be different then that's an equivalent argument from your perspective.