Smart Growth (Livability), Air Pollution & Public Health (The Risks)

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002462-smart-growth-livability-air-pollution-and-public-health Expanded version – 8 charts – 2 tables.

Budget Boondoggle Award: California High Speed Rail Report – Cites Reason Study by Vranich and Cox

By Congressmen Ryan and Campbell

http://www.campbell.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3044:release-campbell-and-budget-committee-highlight-californias-qtrain-to-nowhereq-for-budget-boondoggle-award&catid=41:press-releases&Itemid=300032

California: Why Not Blow $9 Billion on a Cool Train? By Richard White

http://www.citywatchla.com/lead-stories/2262-california-why-not-blow-9-billion-on-a-cool-train

Investors Shun Brazil High Speed Rail

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002455-private-investors-shun-brazil-high-speed-rail-bid

Suburban “End-Times” Reality Check

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002453-suburban-end-times-reality-check

How Smart Growth and Livability Intensify Air Pollution

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2011/09/How-Smart-Growth-and-Livability-Intensify-Air-Pollution

The Evolving Urban Form: Milan

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002441-the-evolving-urban-form-milan

A Fly in the Econometrics: Exaggerating Urbanization

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002428-a-fly-econometrics-exaggerating-urbanization

Urban Densities Exclude Rural Densities: Avent Postscript

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002427-urban-densities-exclude-rural-areas-avent-postscript

The density studies referred to by Ryan Avent do not show any association between higher urban densities (or weighted average higher urban densities) and greater productivity. The studies use density variables that include large swaths of rural area and cannot therefore be used to demonstrate any association between urban density and anything.

This is not to suggest that there may not be an association, it is rather to note that the cited research shows no such thing.

Ryan Avent Gets it Part Right in the NYT: Smart Growth Reduces Economic Growth, But Cities Grow by Dispersing, Not Densifying

http://www.newgeography.com/content/002418-avent-cities-understanding-part-equation

Two charts.
NYC urban area density declines 1950-2000
Productive, low density Seattle.