Comparing the Built-Up Framework of Global Urban Areas (houses, neighborhood)

[Trafalgar Law]

Comparing the Built-Up Framework of Global Urban Areas

The charts below depict the main differences between urban area across the globe. One of the charts below will outline the physical urban area size, density, transit coverage between a prototypical American and a Spanish city. That chart is built to scale.

These charts are appropriated for urban areas and/or metropolitan areas. The Asian and European areas remain very dense all around, there is a bit of a drop off to the Latin American cities but not by any significant means. There appears to be a large drop off to the North American cities from all 3 other regions. Among the American areas, New York does alright, as can be seen though the others flatline into low density territory.

[theurbanfiles]

It is pretty shocking. Even as an American who kind of grew up the product of a sprawled suburban lifestyle, I have to think there is some way we could be better about that, also, it seems like having some degree of closeness would allow for a more productive/efficient society overall. I think this will need to change in upcoming decades even in the developed world with potential impending food shortages.

Rio's seems to be the most balanced across the area, however, it is simply high density everywhere, and much of that is because a number of it's landscapes just won't work for building (steep topography). That's why you see something similar with Mexico City.

I like New York City's chart the best out of the group, personally though. Some people simply don't want to live in such a tightly packed area, and cities should balance that with the need to maximize walkability and efficiency as well. It is pretty great how in European metros there's nothing, and more nothing even 10 miles out, and then wham, city hits you and vice versa. That being said though, that would almost seem to indicate building restrictions further out perhaps? Because in Barcelona's case, I understand there is a severe housing shortage.

Consistency in every neighborhood is revealing key highlight to understand. There are tons of cities varying between low to high density collection of buildings. Infrastructure power magic of the Architectural mystics. Even when San Francisco is millions less city limits, there are vast swaths of New York City experiencing less saturation, especially in Queens or Staten Island. Wow, reaching optimally better houses per capita rate over there than throughout San Francisco on average with various observable scales. Can you believe that much of NYC is having such relaxing, quiet streets dualistic reality compared to the steady noise all over the Californian mega entity.