SEEKING THE MARKET

By Mark Smith   – Fundamental cause missing in sprawl literature – – Fixed assets in changing markets – – Chronic sprawl is in part market inefficiency – – Development processes and techniques contribute to sprawl –  – Solution is pre enabling densification – – Many factors said to cause sprawl might be considered demand generators – – Excessive sprawl is not responsive... Read More

Mark Smith Discusses Planned Densification at USD

How can we expect to reduce sprawl if we don’t allow real estate in key locations to coevolve with market demand? Mark Smith recently spoke at the University of San Diego about Planned Densification. In this clip from that talk (5:28), Smith explains asynchrony as an economic cause of sprawl, and as a barrier to coevolution.   The Wedge Markets change–the evolution of market value in key locations is an important reason to pre enable... Read More

How Much Density?

By Mark Smith We are sometimes asked to explain ‘what is density?’ and ‘what is our position on density?’ In our view, the appropriate type and degree of density is locally and regionally determined, through community engagement and feasibility analysis. Planning may include a situational assessment of the economic and design influences on density, market and financial feasibility, and public and entitlement processes. See a summary of these... Read More

PLANNED DENSIFICATION – SELECTED BENEFITS

By Errol Cowan, PhD Planned densification (PD) was conceived of by Mark Smith in the 1990s and outlined in the June 2009 issue of Urban Land. The concept is simple and makes intuitive sense. As communities grow, their need and demand for accommodating density increases as does market support for it. Integrative long-term public and private planning for intensified future density and infrastructure is prescribed by Smith to capitalize upon this dynamic,... Read More