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 Visualizing Density <br />are highest in the upper-income groups, which are choosing <br />luxury condos in mixed-use locations over detached homes in <br />outer suburbs. Loft-style high rises and mid-rise buildings built <br />near metro stations are also increasingly popular (Allen 2005). <br />In the Seattle area, between 1996 and 1998, half of all new <br />suburban housing was made up of multifamily dwelling units. <br />The BenefiTS <br />Just as we’ve discovered the specific negative impacts of sprawl <br />in recent years, we are now beginning to understand the par- <br />ticular ways in which arranging our towns in a compact pat- <br />tern can provide benefits. A growing body of research shows <br />that concentrating homes, jobs, schools, and shops into a <br />smaller area will help us prosper, protect our environment, and <br />strengthen our communities. <br />Building at a higher density boosts the economy because it <br />saves money for governments, developers, and consumers. One <br />study analyzing the fiscal benefits of channeling higher den- <br />■ <br />sity growth into existing areas of Massachusetts found that $11 <br />billion could be saved over the course of 25 years. Most of the <br />savings would go to homebuyers and developers, but local and <br />state governments also stood to gain (Burchell 2003). <br />When it comes to sewer, water, roads, electric, and other <br />infrastructure elements, compact form equals fewer pipes and <br />poles, and less asphalt and concrete per unit of housing. Add- <br />ing population to existing service areas creates an economy of <br />scale that translates into lower installation costs for developers <br />and lower operational costs for municipalities. Consumers and <br />taxpayers save money, too. Although the amount of the sav- <br />ings varies from study to study, research over the past decades <br />has consistently shown that low-density development leads to <br />higher public and private development costs (Muro and Puentes <br />2004). <br />Transportation savings is one of the biggest benefits of <br />concentrating people and jobs into a smaller geographic area. <br />Households can save thousands of dollars a year if they drive <br />less because the services they need are nearby. One recent study <br />050701-0203 <br />Olympia, Washington