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Originally Posted by psicodude
So here is my issue with that video specifically, but densification in more general terms; there is an obvious correlation between density and living costs. The video uses NYC and San Francisco as examples, but those are rated as the 1st and 3rd most expensive cities in the U.S. to live in. ( http://abcnews.go.com/Business/expen...y?id=17118717#) I am by no means suggesting that Calgary will become anywhere near as expensive as those great cities, but there are some tough questions still unanswered that are making many people uneasy.
I guess my main concerns are that these other, quite dense cities are significantly more expensive to live in and have much, much better public transportation. Prices in this city are already crazy (and transit isn't great) so isn't it a legitimate concern that densification could push prices to an unsustainable level and result in massive damage to the economy? |
Great points; the financial side is something I'd like to research more on. However, I firmly believe in two things: Supply and demand, and associated costs savings.
For supply and demand, there needs to be a healthy inlfux of new townhomes / condos / houses in the inner city. The more developed and available to the consumer, the cheaper the prices become. I believe we need to start building more innovative residential properties in the inner city - not everything has to be a condo.
For associated cost savings, I firnly believe that prices, as a whole for the consumer, would go down. The amount saved in transportation costs and energy savings - two of the biggest benefits of urban development - would largely mitigate living costs (not completely, however). I currently live almost downtown and save a ton in both areas.
Infrastructure costs would also go down, as upgrading existing resources is much lower than building new infrastructure outright. The monies that paid for overpasses are now used to upgrade existing roads, and become available for even more transit-oriented options such as streetcars (which are clean and efficient such as the ones in Toronto and San Francisco).
There are also other intangible values that you are omitting from the equation too - proximity to amenities, social interation, and community integration and development.
Anyways, just my thoughts!