Benefits of Compact, Mixed Use Development

This report from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute found that consumer demand for housing in sprawl contexts is declining, while demand for housing in smart growth areas is increasing. While the study comes from a Canadian Institute, the housing data used comes from the U.S. Census (housing type) or academic research concerning U.S. housing markets. The studies consider population and employment growth trends in suburbs vs. city centers. It supplements these numbers with results from market surveys and the academic literature that analyzes them. These analyses compare survey findings from different cities and/or urban forms to indicate larger trends, such a desire for shorter commutes and walkable neighborhoods. The study postulates the factors that might contribute to these preferences, such as vehicle ownership rates, fuel prices, and others.  It uses these potential factors to predict that these housing preference trends are likely to continue.