The Transportation Transformation of Our Cities Will Be More Important Than Density Changes

Marlon G. Boarnet
University of Southern California

This article addresses the following point of contention: “In 40 years, the average person will live closer to her neighbors and farther from the ground than she does today.”

In 40 years, U.S. metropolitan areas will be less dense and less automobile oriented. The transportation transformation of our cities, already well under way, will be more important to future urban policy than any measure of average metropolitan density.