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Myth and Fact 25 MYTH FIVE FACTFIVE Many communities employ techniques such as infill and brownfield development to transform unused, abandoned lots into vibrant, revenue-generating components of the community. Some create direct incentives for higher-density development. The city of Austin, Texas, for example, created a program that rewards developers for locating projects in the city’s existing neighborhoods and downtown. Others award points for a variety of attributes, such as transit access, the redevelopment of empty lots, and an increase in pedestrian facilities. By employing standards for fac- tors like open space, dense development, and impact on water quality, communi- ties can facilitate good urban design that preserves natural resources. Although a well-designed higher-density community offers residents a higher- quality environment, poorly planned sprawl does the opposite. Because low-density sprawl gobbles up so much land through large-lot zoning, it ends up destroying the very thing most people moved there for in the first place—the natural areas and farmland. It forces people to drive longer distances, increasing regional air quality problems. The average American man spends 81 minutes behind the wheel every day, while women average 63 minutes. And surveys show that the time spent driving has been consistently increasing every year.46 The national road network, currently at 4 million miles according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, is still grow- ing at an alarming rate, mainly for the purpose of connecting new low-density sub- urbs back to core communities. Along with the water and air pollution, construc- tion of these highways perpetuates the cycle of sprawl, fragments wildlife habitats, and dries up a community’s financial coffers. Increasing density not only improves air and water quality and protects open space but also redirects investments to our existing towns and cities. It can revitalize existing communities and create more walkable neighborhoods with access to public transit and hiking and biking trails. Pedestrian-friendly higher- density developments offer general health benefits as well. Mixed land uses give people the option to walk and bike to work, shops, restaurants, and entertain- ment. The convenience of compact communities may help fight diseases related to obesity.47 Higher-density communities are vital to preserving a healthy environ- ment and fostering healthy lifestyles.