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05-7-14-PC
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Myth and Fact 7 <br />Most land use professionals and community leaders now agree that creating com- <br />munities with a mix of densities, housing types, and uses could be the antidote to <br />sprawl when implemented regionally. And across the country, the general public is <br />becoming more informed and engaged in making the tough land use choices that <br />need to be made while understanding the consequences of continuing to grow as <br />we have in the past. Many have also come to appreciate the “place-making” bene- <br />fits of density and the relationship between higher-density development and land <br />preservation. Media coverage of the topic of growth and development has also <br />evolved. Past media coverage of growth and development issues was often limited <br />to the heated conflicts between developers and community residents. Many in the <br />media are now presenting more thoughtful and balanced coverage, and several <br />editorial boards support higher-density developments in their communities as an <br />antidote to regional sprawl. <br />Yet despite the growing awareness of the complexity of the issue and growing sup- <br />port for higher-density development as an answer to sprawl, many still have ques- <br />tions and fears related to higher-density development. How will it change the neigh- <br />borhood? Will it make traffic worse? What will happen to property values? And what <br />about crime? Ample evidence—documented throughout this publication—suggests <br />that well-designed higher-density development, properly integrated into an existing <br />community, can become a significant community asset that adds to the quality of life <br />and property values for existing residents while addressing the needs of a growing <br />and changing population. <br />Many people’s perception of higher-density development does not mesh with the <br />reality. Studies show that when surveyed about higher-density development, those <br />inter viewed hold a negative view. But when shown images of higher-density versus <br />lower-density development, people often change their perceptions and prefer <br />higher density.3 In a recent study by the National Association of Realtors®and <br />Smart Growth America, six in ten prospective homebuyers, when asked to choose <br />between two communities, chose the neighborhood that offered a shorter com- <br />mute, sidewalks, and amenities like shops, restaurants, libraries, schools, and pub- <br />lic transportation within walking distance. They preferred this option over the one <br />with longer commutes and larger lots but limited options for walking.4 The 2001 <br />American Housing Survey further reveals that respondents cited proximity to work <br />more often than unit type as the leading factor in housing choice.5 Such contra- <br />dictions point to widespread misconceptions about the nature of higher-density <br />development and sprawl. Several of these misconceptions are so prevalent as to be <br />considered myths. <br />To some degree, these myths are the result of memories people have of the very- <br />high-density urban public housing projects of the 1960s and 1970s that have been <br />subsequently deemed a failure. Somehow, the concept of density became associated <br />with the negative imagery and social problems of depressed urban areas. The reality
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