Visualizing Density A (Working Paper)

Lower Density Catalog Images, 0.5-10.5 units per acre

Author(s): Campoli, Julie and Alex S. MacLean
Publication Date: December 2002

Inventory ID WP02JC1a; English


Visualizing Density A	3.83 MB

Abstract

In the realm of community planning and land development, “density” is an often used but rarely understood term. The physical density of a development project can be measured in numerical terms, but such a measurement fails to convey the look and feel of density. Measured density is often very different than perceived density. This difference causes confusion in the community planning process and in the review of development proposals.

Visualizing Density, a catalog of aerial photographs, helps bridge the gap between measured and perceived densities. It includes hundreds of photographs of old and new neighborhoods around the country, and conveys both the measured and perceived density of each. These photographs help viewers translate density numbers into mental images. They also demonstrate how site design affects the perception of density. Neighborhoods at similar densities are juxtaposed to show how various design approaches can create places with dramatically different physical character.

Note: Due to file size, the image catalog has been split in half. This pdf file is 3.9 mb, and includes the full text of the paper and the lower density images (0.5-10.5 units per acre). To view the other half of the catalog, please go to the Higher Density Catalog Images.