A Bird's Eye View

10. Design Tradeoffs

Low-density neighborhoods have appealing qualities to many people. They offer spacious yards, privacy, quiet, and convenient parking. At the other end of the spectrum, urban neighborhoods offer access to a rich array of services. As density levels increase and living units move closer together, yards become smaller and parking space shrinks. High quality architecture and careful site planning can maintain the best qualities of low-density living in new compact neighborhoods.

At 50 units per acre, this development offers a surprising amount of parking, private outdoor space and greenery. (Mountain View, CA)

Carefully formed public space, interior block parking and a lively streetscape, help compensate for the lack of individual back yards. (Addison, TX)

Next 11. Building Up, Not Out >>

Back << 9. Parking