Here’s a great piece on density, and how to measure it, by Terry Holzheimer, Director of Economic Development for Arlington Virginia and a Ph.D from our program via Planetizen).
“Density is a complex concept that includes measured density,
perceived density and crowding of a given area. While the term is often
described as objective, it is also relative. What do measures of jobs
per acre, or population per acre, feel like to employees or residents
of a neighborhood? How do the places in which we live and work measure
up and compare? Can objective, numeric measures really reflect the
“urban-ness” of a place? If so, which is a better presentation of that
“urban-ness”? Numeric measures of density or relative perceptions of
low, medium and high densities?In an attempt to help answer these questions and quantify urban
density and intensity, I have analyzed specific formulas of measurement
for the density of regional activity centers, along with growth
projection data, to better understand current and future trends about
urban development. While I have used date from my own area — Greater
Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia — as an example, these
approaches can be applied to any major metro region.
