The Mathematics in Support of Urban Density

The strongest case for urban density can't be made in terms of aesthetics, according to this article.

1 minute read

March 30, 2022, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


French Density

cocoparisienne / Pixabay

Writing for Full Stack Economics, Alan Cole brings mathematics to bear on the contested ground between urban and the suburban. Proponents tend to make the case for either end of the development spectrum with appeals to aesthetics, according to Cole, but the strongest case in support of urban density can be made with math.

"The biggest virtues of denser cities flow from ironclad principles of geometry and arithmetic—along with some basic economic concepts," writes Cole.

Cole cites the affordability of housing (i.e., supply and demand), the geometry of travel distances, and the space disadvantage of cars to build this mathematical argument, which can be read in full at the link below.

Thursday, March 24, 2022 in Full Stack Economics

Portland Bus Lane

‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland

Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.

August 30, 2023 - Mass Transit

An aerial view of Milwaukee’s Third Ward.

Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny

The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.

August 27, 2023 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Conceptual rendering of Rikers Island redevelopment as renewable energy facility

Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?

New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?

August 24, 2023 - Mark McNulty

A rendering of the Utah City master planned, mixed-use development.

700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah

A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.

August 31 - Daily Herald

A line of cars wait at the drive-thru window of a starbucks.

More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus

Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.

August 31 - The Denver Post

Air pollution is visible in the air around high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says

Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.

August 31 - Phys.org