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1  Visualizing Density <br />As a region is solidly built out at densities of 1 to 6 units <br />per acre, the demand for space on roads and highways often <br />exceeds the supply. This explains the epidemic of traffic con- <br />gestion across the country that has accompanied widespread <br />suburban development. Depending on the extent of the devel- <br />oped area and road network, densities of fewer than 6 units <br />per acre are often too high for the cars-only approach, but too <br />low to support alternatives, resulting in a transportation limbo <br />between rural and urban. <br />Density goes hand in hand with alternative transportation. <br />Higher concentrations of people make mass transit feasible, and <br />transit is the most efficient way to move larger numbers of <br />people. As communities grow denser, they should invest more <br />in alternative transportation and less in auto-oriented infra- <br />structure. Transportation funding in projects such as transit <br />centers, bike lanes, sidewalks, ride-sharing programs, and bus <br />shelters should begin to take precedence over roadways and <br />parking lots. In addition to this shift toward alternatives, land <br />use decisions should complement transportation investments. <br />The maximum distance people are willing to walk to catch a <br />bus or train is about half a mile. It makes sense to concentrate <br />housing within that radius around transit centers, allowing <br />more people to take a shorter walk. <br />Planning for high-density development requires two differ- <br />ent leaps of imagination. It involves sacrificing the primacy of <br />both the car and the big yard—each dear to American hearts— <br />8282.16 <br />Colorado Springs, Colorado