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> why do we always seem to grow by increasing density rather than establishing new small towns? By "establishing small towns" I assume you mean suburbs. It se
by HWR_14 4y ago
> why do we always seem to grow by increasing density rather than establishing new small towns?
By "establishing small towns" I assume you mean suburbs.
It seems to be the opposite. Cities with tons of flat land around them (e.g. Houston) tend to expand their footprint and maintain density. It's mostly areas that cannot (e.g. SF, LA, NYC) that increase density. Once you hit natural limiting boarders, you have to build up.
- ianburrell 4y agoI was noticing that west coast cities have higher density than rest of country. One cause is that many had big booms in the 20s and 50s which gave them walkable suburbs. Second is natural and legal boundaries that slowed growth. Bay Area and Los Angeles are surrounded by mountains. Third is that land prices were high and it was most profitable to squeeze in houses. The problem the west coast has is not replacing housing once things got full and prices increased.
- ticviking 4y agoNo I mean small towns with their own urban/town center. They wouldn't be as dense as a cities downtown but would support 2-4 story mixed use in a walkable core. Every suburb I've ever lived in has been prone to ever-increasing low-density sprawl and resists building even a 2nd story for anything other than residence. I can drive past miles of 1 story strip-malls in virtually every suburb in America, and only rarely do I see an 2 story doctors office, or maybe a 3 story apartment or office building.