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and desirability of older and more gracious higher-density neigh- borhoods—Georgetown in Washington, D.C., Beacon Hill and Back Bay in Boston, and Lincoln Park in Chicago—attest to the fact that some of the more desirable neighborhoods in America historically have been of higher density than that found in typical outer suburbs. This return to the design principles of the past is at the core of the new urbanist movement that took hold in the 1990s. The move- ment grew as many people came to miss the sense of community that was created by the mixed-density and mixed-use communities of the past. They realized that low-density subdivisions isolated their owners not only from pedestrian access to shops and offices but also from their neighbors. The growing sense of social alien- ation, highlighted in books like Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone,48 has led many back to the comfort of communities that are a reminder of the places where many of us grew up. These new communities combine the best design ideas of the past with the modern conveniences of today to provide residents with what has been missing from many sprawling areas—a sense of community. Today’s developers, architects, and planners know that to attract customers and to secure zoning approvals and community acceptance, they must produce attractive and innovative properties that complement their surroundings. Design profession- als are driven to produce projects that meet users’ demands, understand and respond to the context of a site, enhance its neighborhood, and are built to last.49 In fact, attendance at a recent American Institute of Architects–sponsored conference on density far surpassed expectations, speaking to the interest among land use professionals in addressing the design issues associated with density.50 It is plausible that the high level of citizens’ opposition to density may be based on an outdated notion of what higher-density development looks like. A University of North Carolina study revealed that when given a choice between two attractively designed communities, one higher density and the other low density; the majority preferred the higher-density option.51 Other visual preference surveys con- firm that there is an almost universal negative reaction to the visual appearance of commercial strip sprawl and an almost universal posi- tive reaction to traditional town-like communities of the past, com- munities that almost invariably included a mix of densities and uses.52 Myth and Fact 27 MYTH SIX FACTSIX The Plaza at the Arboretum This award-winning mixed-use project in Santa Monica, California, developed by California-based Legacy Partners, achieves a density of 97.5 dwelling units per acre. The attractive seven-story building includes 10,000 square feet of retail space and 350 apartment units ranging from 612 to 1,555 square feet. The architecture firm Meeks and Partners used strong geometric forms to create a playful architectural character that fits nicely in the avant-garde Hollywood studio section of Santa Monica. The devel- opment includes a swimming pool, spa, fit- ness center, and clubhouse. PROFILE Higher-density developments like the Plaza at the Arboretum present opportunities to create outstanding award-winning architecture. MEEKS AND PARTNERS, PHOTOGRAPH ©STEVE HINDS