The Density Dilemma

As the New Urbanists infiltrate the Gulf Coast to make sure reconstruction maintains urban fabric, I'm reminded once again how most Americans want to be in spread-out rather than dense settings, whether for the personal space or a sense of safety. Acceptance of density plays a critical role in the smart growth revolution, and I include a chapter on it in my forthcoming book. I also wrote a working paper on density for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Mass., which is now available on the institute's website:
http://www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/pub-detail.asp?id=1053. The paper looks at transit-oriented and compact development in the Bay Area, Oregon, Texas, Maryland and Massachusetts.