Density vs Nature in Cities? No More False Choices
Brent Toderian

Key Takeaways

• • In the context of climate change, not everything that is ‘green’ has nature in it. And contrastingly, even leafy green low-density suburbs amplify emissions and erode quality of life if they remain car-dependent.
  • By concentrating people, services and jobs, cities can minimize per-capita emissions compared to sprawling suburbs. However, it is necessary to prioritize walking, cycling, and transit over cars.
  • Beyond parks and biophilic facades, greenness includes energy efficiency, stormwater capture, urban cooling, and biodiversity folded into everyday infrastructure.

Summary

1. 1. Density is not the enemy of nature. The real divide is between car-centric sprawl and people-centric green urbanism. 
   2. Dense cities can reduce travel distances and emissions; however, some important factors include:
      • Prioritize walking, protected cycling, and high-frequency transit. Car-shares and eliminated minimum parking rules further cut per-capita emissions and reclaim public space.
      • Invest in trees and treat the tree canopy as essential infrastructure. Mature street trees provide stormwater mitigation, cooling and habitat, as well as beautify sidewalks.
   3. Integration with nature must be woven into high-density districts for resilience and livability:
      
      • How well is the city connected to nature? Not just visually, but physically. How easy is it for people to access nature from concrete, urban environments without a car?
      • Nature in the city: bringing nature into the city through green roofs, freeway caps, daylighted streams, courtyard ecosystems, etc.

How can Cities apply these learnings?

1. 1. Mandate passive-solar/LEED-Gold standards on rezonings. 
   2. Require district energy studies for sites > 2 acres.
   3. Incentivize green roofs
   4. Deploy car-share in the suburbs.
   5. Waive parking for ‘missing middle’ infill.

Ideas for further reading

1. 1. Density Done Well – by Brent Toderian. https://spacing.ca/national/2013/04/10/toderian-density-done-well/#:~:text=I%20stressed%20that%20densification%20shouldn,or%20lost%20in%20the%20’burbs.