Population density, when done right, is a great tool to make people happier, give them more opportunities (social, economic, cultural, etc) and reduce their environmental footprint. A big part of it is that you can reduce the amount of pollution caused by transportation and housing, the two biggest resource sinks, with walkable neighborhoods and mass transit, as well as smaller dwellings (but the city becomes your living room and playground, so the actual "living area" can be much larger than for those living in some exurb in a McMansion...).
Design makes all the difference. Central Park is designed such that tens of thousands of people can be in it at once, but you never see more than a score. Nanjing Road in Shanghai is, however, Blade Runner. Or are there only two kinds, Country Mouse and City Mouse?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 10 2015, @02:19PM
And the fact that you had not to drive several miles to get to that store means nothing to you?
(Score: 1) by khallow on Friday July 10 2015, @04:19PM
And the fact that you had not to drive several miles to get to that store means nothing to you?
Driving several miles can be less troublesome and safer than walking one block.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 10 2015, @04:51PM
Who said I live in a rural area? I got 3 groceries stores less than 2 miles away and a convenience store within walking distance. Also that beer was picked up when the grocery shopping was done on the way home from work. And after the movie maybe I'll head out to my yard and relax by the firepit.