Density can be the result of many people wanting to be in the same wonderful place. Consider San Francisco and Boston, two of the most sought after real estate markets in the country. What's so special about them? Both offer the type of vibrant street life not found in many American cities. Two prerequisites for urban vitality are a pedestrian-friendly streetscape and a mix of uses. The third essential component is density. Shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions can't survive without a critical mass of people nearby to support them. As residential density increases above certain thresholds, these services and amenities become viable.
A mix of street level shops and upper floor apartments, San Jose, CA.
Relatively high-density housing within walking distance of a commuter rail line, Shaker Heights, OH.
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