Land Use and Development

Most experts agree that compact urban design principles encourage infill (and discourage greenfield development) because many modern TODs and TNDs are developed in already-built-out areas (Northeast Midwest Institute and the Congress for the New Urbanism). Older communities often have valuable characteristics for proponents of good urban design, such as transit access, short block lengths, and mixed-use development. Therefore, the region-wide acceptance of good urban design principles would likely lead to reinvestment in older communities.

Even when built in greenfields, the compactness of well-designed, walkable communities minimizes development on open lands. In fact, some experts are encouraging developers and planners to look beyond infill because of greenfields' greater design flexibility, and the reality that infill development will not keep pace with the population growth expected in most metropolitan areas (Heid).