In every other growing city, swathes of older, low-density housing are torn down and replaced with higher density apartment and condominium blocks.
…which generally means going from bad design to worse when it comes to human health. Mental illness, social isolation, physical inactivity, and poor performance in school are all correlated with living in high-rise buildings (even after accounting for socioeconomic factors).[1]
This isn't to say that healthy high-density living can't be done, just that it generally isn't what's done. Singapore is a good counter-example.[2]
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…which generally means going from bad design to worse when it comes to human health. Mental illness, social isolation, physical inactivity, and poor performance in school are all correlated with living in high-rise buildings (even after accounting for socioeconomic factors).[1]
This isn't to say that healthy high-density living can't be done, just that it generally isn't what's done. Singapore is a good counter-example.[2]
[1] http://web.uvic.ca/psyc/gifford/pdf/ASR%20High%20Rises%20pro...
[2] http://www.livablecities.org/articles/high-density-livabilit...