Compact Development

Definition

Compact development refers to a design strategy that promotes high-density land use, reducing the distance between residences, workplaces, and amenities. This approach helps to minimize urban sprawl, encourages the use of public transportation, and fosters walkable communities. By concentrating development in specific areas, compact development can enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impacts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Compact development can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for personal vehicle use and promoting walking and cycling.
2. This approach often leads to more efficient use of public resources, such as water and energy, since higher density can support more sustainable infrastructure.
3. Communities designed with compact development principles often feature public spaces, parks, and amenities within walking distance of residential areas.
4. Zoning laws can play a critical role in facilitating or hindering compact development by dictating land use patterns and density limits.
5. Research shows that cities adopting compact development strategies typically have improved public health outcomes due to increased physical activity from walking or biking.

Review Questions

• How does compact development help mitigate urban sprawl and its negative effects?
  • Compact development addresses urban sprawl by promoting higher density living arrangements and placing essential services closer together. By concentrating development in designated areas, it minimizes the encroachment on natural landscapes and reduces the need for extensive road networks. This strategy also encourages residents to rely less on automobiles, fostering a more sustainable lifestyle that can lessen traffic congestion and pollution.
• Evaluate the relationship between compact development and public transportation systems.
  • Compact development enhances public transportation systems by creating dense living environments where people live close to transit options. This proximity encourages higher ridership on buses, trains, and other forms of transit because residents find it easier to access these services. Additionally, as more people choose public transport over personal vehicles in compact developments, cities can invest in better transit infrastructure and services, creating a virtuous cycle that promotes sustainability.
• Assess the long-term benefits of implementing compact development strategies in urban planning.
  • Implementing compact development strategies yields long-term benefits such as reduced environmental impact through lower emissions and energy consumption. These areas typically foster stronger community connections due to walkability and mixed-use spaces that encourage social interactions. Economically, compact developments can lead to more efficient infrastructure costs and increased property values, benefiting both residents and local governments. Furthermore, by prioritizing sustainability, these developments contribute to healthier lifestyles among inhabitants while preserving surrounding natural areas.

Related terms

Urban Sprawl: Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding rural land, leading to increased dependence on cars and loss of natural habitats.

Mixed-Use Development: Mixed-use development is a type of urban planning that combines residential, commercial, and recreational spaces in a single area to create vibrant communities.

Transit-Oriented Development: Transit-oriented development focuses on creating dense, walkable communities near public transit hubs to promote sustainable transportation options and reduce reliance on cars.