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Strategies > Land Use Strategies ​> Residential Density

Residential Density

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Residential density refers to the number of people or households within a geographic area. Often local and regional governments zone for densities that will support transit service, as low-density development is difficult to serve by transit. There are not clear thresholds for transit-supportive density, as it depends in part on the type of transit service. However, the threshold is generally considered to be over 8 dwelling units an acre. Higher densities will support greater levels of transit frequency.

Higher residential densities are one component of compact neighborhoods (aka New Urbanist, smart growth, or traditional neighborhoods) that typically offer better Local Accessibility. This relates to the concept of the 15-minute city or the 20-minute neighborhood, where daily needs are within a short walk or bike ride from home.

Proven Outcomes

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Reduced VMT
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Reduced GHG
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Increased Walking
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Increased Physical Activity
Increasing residential density decreases vehicle miles traveled (Stevens, 2017, paywall) and greenhouse gas emissions. Compact neighborhoods (aka New Urbanist, smart growth, or traditional neighborhoods) are recommended to increase physical activity (Community Guide, 2016). 

It is difficult to disentangle the effects of density relative to other measures of the built environment, such as street network connectivity and land use mix. While density is among the most influential of the so-called 5Ds (density, diversity, destinations, design, distance), it may not be the most important variable
(Salon et al., 2012, paywall). Increases in density should be considered along with other strategies, such as mix of land uses and walking and bicycling infrastructure, to achieve community goals (Boarnet & Handy, 2014). Other "D"s that have been studied for their role in influencing travel behavior include demographics and demand management.

Likely Outcomes

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Reduced Vehicle Use
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Reduced Air Pollution
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Increased Community Vibrancy
Possible co-benefits include reduced vehicle use and air pollution (Community Guide, 2016) and improved community vibrancy through increased in active travel (Boarnet & Handy, 2014).

Equity and Inclusion

Strategies that involve changes to the physical environment may increase the attractiveness of an area. An increased demand for housing may result in increased property values or rents and could lead to involuntary displacement if appropriate mitigation strategies are not put into place.  The lessons learned from anti-displacement efforts in several cities can be found in this PolicyLink report. Practitioners can evaluate the risk of displacement through the methods described by Chapple et al. (2017) or Bates (2013).

Complementary Strategies

  • Local Accessibility
  • Land Use Mix
  • Pedestrian Infrastructure
  • Street Network Connectivity
  • Transit Access
  • Transit Service
  • ​Voluntary Travel Behavior Change Programs

Implementation Guidance

Guides & Reports
Plan Compact Growth in Existing Towns and Cities
[Website]


​
Transportation Efficient Communities, 2020
The ABCs of ADUs: A Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units and How to Expand Housing Options for People of All Ages


AARP, 2019​
Inclusionary Housing: Creating and Maintaining Equitable Communities


​
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2015
How to Build Back Better with a 15-Minute City



​
​C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, 2020
Smart Transportation Metrics for Smart Growth
[Brief]



​
American Planning Association, 2016​​
Research Reports & Briefs
Building Up the "Zoning Buffer": Using Broad Upzones to Increase Housing Capacity Without Increasing Land Values
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, 2022
Model Policy & Code
Accessory Dwelling Units: Model State Act and Local Ordinance



AARP, 2021
Encourage Infill Development



​
Sustainable Development Code, 2015
Communities are Embracing Development Near Transit: A Snapshot of Transit-Oriented Development Support Across the United States
AARP, 2017
Equitable Development as a Tool to Advance Racial Equity



​Local and Regional Government Alliance on Race & Equity, 2016​​
Smart Growth and Economic Success: Investing in Infill Development


​
​US Environmental Protection Agency, 2014
Transit-Supportive Densities and Land Uses: A PSRC Guidance Paper


​
Puget Sound Regional Council, 2015
The Effect of Market-Rate Development on Neighborhood Rents

​

​
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, 2021
Equitable Infill Incentives Report



Center for Neighborhood Technology & Planning and Conservation League, 2020
Visualizing Compatible Density [Website]​

​


​​
The Urbanist, 2020
Smart Growth Illustrated 
[Case Studies]





US Environmental Protection Agency, 2017
Transit for All: Achieving Equity in Transit-Oriented Development


​
Alliance for Community Transit-Los Angeles, 2015
Equitable Development Principles and Scorecard




The Alliance, 2016
Missing Middle Housing
​[Website]





Opticos Design, Inc., 2020
Myths and Facts about Affordable and High Density Housing


California Planning Roundtable, California Department of Planning & Community Development, 2020
Equitable Development Toolkit: Building Regional Equity: Transit Oriented Development


​
PolicyLink, n.d.
Planning for Transit-Supportive Development: A Practitioner's Guide



Federal Transit Administration, 2014
Creating Great Neighborhoods: Density in Your Community

​
Local Government Commission & US Environmental Protection Agency, 2003
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  • Home
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  • Service Areas
  • Clearinghouse
    • Goals >
      • Physical Activity
      • Bicycling
      • Walking
      • Equity and Inclusion
      • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
      • Vehicle Miles Traveled
    • Strategies >
      • Transportation Infrastructure >
        • Bicycle Infrastructure
        • Pedestrian Infrastructure
        • Traffic Calming
      • Transportation Demand Management >
        • Active Travel to School
        • Employer-Based Trip Reduction Programs
        • Parking Availability and Pricing
        • Road User Pricing
        • Voluntary Travel Behavior Change Programs
      • Land Use Strategies >
        • Local Accessibility
        • Regional Accessibility
        • Residential Density
        • Land Use Mix
        • Street Network Connectivity
      • Public Transit >
        • Transit Access
        • Transit Service
      • Engagement >
        • Community Engagement
    • Emerging issues
    • Approach
  • News
  • Contact