What does urban density look like? When we hear the “D” word, our first thoughts are often of high-rises and sunless streets. But in point of fact, density’s appearance might surprise you.
Mumbai is the most densely populated city in the world. Its 14,350,000 inhabitants are packed into 484 square kilometers. This works out to 120 people per acre.
But check this out. The Manhattan zip code of 10012, which is Greenwich Village, weighs in at more than 120 people per acre. It looks like this:
There are a few tall buildings, mostly associated with NYU, and some tall apartment buildings, but the great majority of the neighborhood looks like this:
Photo from flickr.
The Upper East Side in Manhattan weighs in at 138 people per acre, way more than Mumbai, and while it too has high rises, most of that neighborhood looks like this:
Photo from flickr.
The North End, in Boston, comes in at just a hair under 100 people per acre, 98 to be exact, and it looks like this:
Photo from Panoramio.
Interestingly, each of these neighborhoods is extremely diverse, highly walkable, filled with all one might need to thrive within a stroll. Not a long trek – a stroll.
Just as a frame of reference, Mumbai looks like this:
Density is about access to a rich array of goods, services, opportunities for social interaction, and the ability to lead carless and local lives. And maybe it’s not that hard to imagine.
