Re:Our self imposed scarcity of nice places
by nuerow on Thursday November 04, 2021 @12:46PM
(#29109456)
> Firstly, walkability only means higher prices if supply is limited.
Isn't it, though?
In fact, not only is it limited, it's also a market on the supply side.
> Secondly, a grocery store needs say 500 potential customers (households) within walking/transit distance.
In consolidated urban areas with medium density occupation, such as city centers in pretty much any relatively large European city, you already have multiple supermarkets at a stone's throw. In some places like Madrid some suburban areas even have multiple supermarkets on the same apartment block.
Firstly, walkability only means higher prices if supply is limited. If it's the default, then supply matches demand.
Secondly, a grocery store needs say 500 potential customers (households) within walking/transit distance. A cafe 2,000. A specialist shop 5,000. Otherwise they need parking for customers arriving by car, which takes up yet more space, making the area less walkable, inducing more car demand and car lanes, etc. The same calculation applies to schools, parks and other amenities.
It isn't possible to reach those customer numbers while giving each family American suburbia levels of space.