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Originally Posted by First Lady
I'll take a stab at this, some have already been mentioned:
increased traffic (both vehicle and pedestrian),
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An increase in vehicular traffic does not have to be a given if the development is properly designed to be transit-oriented or even car-free. However, there will be usually be at least a small increase. In regards to pedestrian traffic, this will increase but as sidewalks in Calgary are not known for their congestion it's not likely to be an issue. If anything, it can be a positive.
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Originally Posted by First Lady
increased crime because now you have a 1000 people living across from you instead of ~4,
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An increase in population and density does not lead to an increase in crime. As I alluded to above, an increase in pedestrians can be a positive change as it would lead to there being more people and eyes on the street. The increase in surveillance from more pedestrians and dwelling units facing the streets can act as a deterrent.
When people talk about an increase in density leading to an increase in crime they are often identify a correlation but not causality; there are other variables that are the influencing variable. In these situations, the concentration of low-income individuals is the variable upon which crime is dependant. This is why very dense cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo are among the safest in the World but why Council Estates and The Projects were havens for crime.
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Originally Posted by First Lady
if it's on the east, west or south you would get shadowing for sure,
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Shadowing can be an issue but loss of amenity is subjective with most homeowners. Technically, it shouldn't be a concern but not everyone is reasonable.
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Originally Posted by First Lady
increased noise (even within bylaw limits) again, simply because of sheer numbers,
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It will get a bit nosier but design can help mitigate its effect.
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Originally Posted by First Lady
far less chance you will "know" your neighbours, so increased exposure to strangers (high importance to young families)
increased lineups at your corner store, gas station, etc.
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I'm going to call bollocks on the bolded part. The concentration of young families is what leads to these communal bonds forming and as long as there is a local school and children's activities these families will eventually mingle and congregate. Once again, density can actually help facilitate this as an increase in people in an area will lead to increased opportunities for interaction to occur. You yourself noted one such situation, instead of zipping in and out of the local convenience store two mothers might recognize each other in line and engage in a conversation that results in a play date as their children happen to be in the same class.
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Originally Posted by First Lady
No, but it impacts the number one reason as to why you live there in the first place - because you "choose" to live in a single family home community.
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They also chose to become Calgarians and the fact is Calgary needs to increase its density. As such, all Calgarians will have to take their fair share. It's what functional communities do.