[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Muta

Sure! Here's some examples, pulled from various websites:

1) The Benefits of Urban Density (great examples in Oakland and San Francisco): http://www.archdaily.com/180555/vide...sity-benefits/

2) "Tokyo is a very dense city but there is a lot of open space. New enclave developments are scrapping low-rise traditional neighborhoods and building blocks of high rises set in semi-private urban parks. Projects like Midtown Tokyo or Roppongi Hills take advantage of private investment to invest back into social space and infrastructure to connect the enclave to the city. The result is a shift in public-private relationships and spatial relationships in the city. But it doesn't affect the strong social sphere which has been there for some time."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/as...ing/index.html

3) The Pearl District in Portland: In urban planning circles, Portland has emerged as a model city, at the forefront of creating a vibrant,
quality urban environment, and the Pearl District only bolsters its reputation.

http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/rep...dingbetter.pdf

4) National Resources Defense Council Examples of Benefits:
Honolulu: http://www.nrdc.org/smartGrowth/visions/Honolulu-HI.asp
Memphis: http://www.nrdc.org/smartGrowth/visions/Memphis-TN.asp
Mount Pleasant: http://www.nrdc.org/smartGrowth/visi...leasant-SC.asp
Glenview: http://www.nrdc.org/smartGrowth/visions/Glenview-IL.asp
Tempe: http://www.nrdc.org/smartGrowth/visions/Tempe-AZ.asp

5) Toronto: Urban Density is the Key to Smart Growth http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2012...rt_growth.html


Other links you may be interested in:

Smart Growth in Maryland: http://smartgrowth.umd.edu/smartgrowthinmaryland.html

That's just with basic Google searches done. I have to watch my time, I'm at work at the moment but I love talking about this stuff.

Thanks! I'll go through all of these, although not just now since I'm at work also. I happen to think Calgary is pretty freakin' awesome, but could definitely use some more walkable neighbourhoods. I'd love to see that happen in a distinctly Calgary way that also takes the best of what's out there elsewhere in the world.

I also think we can probably build that into our existing neighbourhoods, through increased density and mixed use rezoning. As an example, I walked to a library, a ymca, a Safeway, a sushi restaurant and the CTrain station from my house over the last weekend. Which sounds very urban, but I live in Hawkwood.