Increasing density is the natural impulse when an area becomes more desirable. So much of our society is tied to the area you live - jobs, public schools, access to services. It’s immoral to kick the ladder down behind you and make entry into the area impossible, not because the market decides it, but because existing inhabitants have co-opted the government through NIMBY policies.
I can think of many pro-market initiatives that would alleviate society’s ailments. But allowing more, denser housing to be built is one of the easiest, least burdensome solutions placed on the taxpayer. The damage caused by more housing is to delicate sensibilities as a homeowner’s “view” is blocked by new towers and the “character” of a neighborhood is ruined by lower income newcomers.
>But allowing more, denser housing to be built is one of the easiest, least burdensome solutions placed on the taxpayer.
I hear this argument many times but what I don't hear is how the city will get the additional revenue needed to service this new density?
An increase in the population requires more fire, police, swerer, water, roads, public transportation and schools. But a city can tax companies and collect sales tax.
On a per capita basis, an increase in density requires less sewer, water, roads, fire and police (shorter response times). Schooling needs are the same, and there's only "more" public transportation because it's actually possible.
Your argument - that increased population causes the support infrastructure to buckle - is 100% false. If supporting a growing population was an insurmountable obstacle, then no city would ever grow. We know how to handle growth, this is a solved problem.
Your argument - that increased population causes the support infrastructure to buckle - is 100% false.
It was certainly true in SV as it grew. For example, my high school had to go on double session as it had to handle more than double the number of students it was designed for. In wintertime, upperclassmen went to school in pitch dark, and freshmen walked home in pitch dark.
A high school takes a large plot of vacant land as well as a lot of development.
The eventual solution was the building of a huge new high school complex known as Ed Park, eventually renamed Independence High School, on much cheaper land well to the south.
I remember attending most of my middle school (6th & 7th grade) in "modules". Which is really just a fancy term for a trailer. There were probably 5-10 of them adjacent to the parking lot. It's how they handled the fact that our town was growing too fast. Still use that method today in between builds.
I can think of many pro-market initiatives that would alleviate society’s ailments. But allowing more, denser housing to be built is one of the easiest, least burdensome solutions placed on the taxpayer. The damage caused by more housing is to delicate sensibilities as a homeowner’s “view” is blocked by new towers and the “character” of a neighborhood is ruined by lower income newcomers.