The Benefits of Density

1. The Benefits of Density Density and Public Transportation Support Economic Strength

2. During the 2000s… • Americas grows… in two directions… • Suburbs and smaller cities • Robust population growth • Established central cities • Economic revitalization • Population growth in some areas • Real Estate driven economic boom • Gov’t policies (low interest rates) • Easy access to credit • Information technology • Entrepreneurial spirit of capitalism

3. Escalating Gas Prices

4. During the 2000s… • By 2007, housing industry running out of steam • Properties begin to devalue • “Fastest-growing” and farthest-flung areas hit hardest • Lower-income families pinched • Gas prices • Mortgages and/or housing costs • Escalating transportation costs (car/gas driven) • Escalating poverty rate in suburbs

5. 54 Metro Areas w/ At Least 1 Million People* *2000 Census based on 1999 MSA definitions, or 2007-2009 American Community Survey based on 2003 CBSA definitions

6. Importance of Metro Areas • More people live outside central cities than within them • Suburbs account for majority of American population • People travel across city/town and county lines for work and play • Many suburbs still look to central cities for economic and social identity • In some cases, starting to change

7. Change in Metro Area Definition • Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines Metro Areas • Revised standard in 2003 • Previously – Metropolitan Statistical Area • Central-city based • Commuting relationship between central city and outlying counties • Density of outlying counties • New – Core Based Statistical Area • Examine commuting patterns between counties • # of metropolitan statistical areas grows from 280 to 362 • Smaller, but likely more dense • Account for suburban growth, and to some degree, independence from “central cities”

8. Compared 2000 Census and 2007-2009 ACS • 2000 Census • Decennial • Entire population • 1/6 of households – longer-form survey – housing and economic status • Metro Area statistics • CBSA standard for basic information (i.e. population) • MSA standard for characteristics • American Community Survey (ACS) • Surveys 2 million households each year • First official survey in 2005 • 3-year average reduces margin of error • Info on geographic areas with pop of 20K or greater (Annual info for areas with pop of 65K or greater) • Limitation - economic and social change during time period • CBSA standard for all metro area data • More characteristics, but some variables unavailable

9. Compared 2000 Census and 2007-2009 ACS • Metro Areas are fluid • Population and economic shifts dictate changes • OMB reviews standards every 10 years • Potential revision in 2013 • Counties are building blocks of Metro Areas

10. Low Density & Large – Ample Space

11. Ample Space Is Consumed

12. Few Non-Auto Based Transit Options

13. Buses help to some degree • Every metro area has a public bus transportation system • Density – supports effectiveness • Transportation systems are costly to build and maintain • Density – location-based ‘economies of scale’