High Density Development.

High Density Development

High density development has become fashionable through urban renewal.  Many countries have been buliding up for centuries.  The belief is that it not only takes up less space but it is also less obtrusive on the immediate environment.  The latest trend has seen more of this development with a mix of retail.  The ideal premise behing these building is to meet the needs of its tenants within a walking distance. 

New Urbanism utilizes high density development towards a more sustainable environment.



NEW URBANISM promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant, mixed-use communities composed of the same components as conventional development, but assembled in a more integrated fashion, in the form of complete communities. These contain housing, work places, shops, entertainment, schools, parks, and civic facilities essential to the daily lives of the residents, all within easy walking distance of each other. New Urbanism promotes the increased use of trains and light rail, instead of more highways and roads. Urban living is rapidly becoming the new hip and modern way to live for people of all ages. Currently, there are over 4,000 New Urbanist projects planned or under construction in the United States alone, half of which are in historic urban centers. http://www.newurbanism.org/

High Density construction allows a balance with nature.  It allows us to be less intrusive on our environment.  High Density development reclaims old buildings and revitalizes them.  They create a sense of community.  They limit our dependence on fossil fuel by decreasing the need for cars. 

 

Some of the happiest places on earth are built on high density living.  The emphasis is taking off of material commidities and placed more on community and clean living. 

 

"The answer you get is not only how they feel right now, but also how they feel about their entire life," explained Dan Buettner, who has studied happiness and longevity around the world through his Blue Zones project Buettner said that if you mine all the databases of universities and research centers, you'll find that the happiest place on earth is ? Denmark. Cold, dreary, unspectacular Denmark.

 

 

The Danes are on to something!

 

Some opponents to high density believe that it can increase crime and can lead to overcrowding and noise pollution.  I believe it creates a sense of community lessoning crime.  If built right noise pollution and overcrowding are easily overcome.

 

Some are afraid of the costs but if a building is built with sustainability in mind the higher real estate costs can be off set by decreased utitlity and car costs. 

 

We as a society need to demand more smart building and living from our city governments.