By Matt the Engineer on September 28, 2011
One issue that comes up frequently when discussing “towers” compared to shorter buildings is cost. Yes, taller buildings cost more. But not much more. And what you spend on construction can come back in saved real estate costs (since you can build more units with the same land). Here’s some typical cost data from the [...]
Posted in cost analysis, density
By Matt the Engineer on September 15, 2011
I happen to own a copy of Jane Jacobs The Death and Life of Great American Cities. I was several wonderful chapters in when I lost it, and only recently found it again (it was zipped away in the pocket of my suitcase). As I work through the other 4 books I’ve started, it has sat [...]
Posted in density, Urban Planning
By Matt the Engineer on August 6, 2011
Several Roosevelt neighborhood plan supporters are claiming that Roosevelt’s new zoning will triple the existing population within 1/2 mile of the new rail station. At first I was tricked – triple the zoning is at least a win for Seattle, and probably as much zoning as I would have asked them for. But some of [...]
Posted in density, zoning
By Matt the Engineer on July 28, 2011
Let’s look at two buildings. In the winter, a condo complex is busy burning natural gas to heat up all of its 50 or so units. The condo is fairly efficient, but Seattle is a cold place and the building still uses a lot of fuel to keep people warm. Next door there’s a server farm. [...]
Posted in Data, density
By Matt the Engineer on June 7, 2011
I have friends that live in the far suburbs, and spend quite a bit of time in their cars. They each drive seperate cars far away to work in the morning after dropping their kids off for school in a different direction, drive far for groceries, etc. Financially they just get by every month, and [...]
Posted in affordability, density, transit
By Matt the Engineer on April 28, 2011
I talk about density because it’s good for the environment, good for reducing resources, protects natural environemnts and farms, and builds a better city. But I don’t love density just because it’s good for me. I’ve found living and working close to others to be far more enjoyable than the alternative. The best living arrangement [...]
Posted in density
By Matt the Engineer on April 12, 2011
180sf. 2 people. 2 beds, 2 tables, 1 small closet. Shared bathroom with 30 others. Shared coin-operated laundry room. No kitchen. Rented 2′tall refrigerators (for beer). 2nd hand store smelly microwave (for popcorn). 1 small window with 2-pipe wall unit for heat and cooling. My dorm room was spartan, but I loved it. The high [...]
Posted in affordability, density
By Matt the Engineer on February 4, 2011
Upzone. One of the arguments that comes up when debating Seattle’s zoning laws is that we’re in a recession, and nobody’s going to build no matter what we do right now. I’d argue the opposite: if we upzone we can get people to build right now despite the fact that we’re in a recession. Housing [...]
Posted in density, economy, seattle, zoning
By Matt the Engineer on August 12, 2010
Ok, probably not. But you’ll spend less on transportation in Queen Anne. There was a great post on Grist today about affordability. The standard idea of affordable housing ignores the cost of a commute, which makes the suburbs look quite favorable. However, Chicago’s Center for Neighborhood Technology has come up with a great new tool called [...]
Posted in density
By Matt the Engineer on August 6, 2010
Well, duh. But it’s nice to see a map that corrolates so well with the theory. From SDOT: The green areas have the least GHG emissions from driving per household. The outlined areas are our urban villages.
Posted in density, drivers
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