Crossley on urbanism

Sunday’s Chronicle contained a letter erroneously attributed to me that decries walkable urbanism and supports sprawl development. Anyone who knows me and my 25 years of work on sustainability must have been surprised to see a letter in which I appear to change my mind.

The letter claims that “politicians love density because it makes it cheaper to provide city services.” While it is true that city services cost less in more efficiently developed areas, I’m not aware of more than three or four politicians who support density.

In a region that likes to brag about free markets, the market is seriously perverted by using public money to enable sprawl development. Additionally, regulations, particularly in the city of Houston, have been designed to discourage walkable urbanism.

We know from the Kinder Area Survey that about 62 percent of city of Houston residents would prefer to live in walkable areas, but we also know there is only enough such housing for about 35 percent of people who want it.

The list of benefits of walkable urbanism, particularly when it is supported by good transit service, is an extensive one that includes better health, better equity, better access to jobs and services, and a more positive effect on municipal revenues and expenses.

People who argue against urbanism seem to be trying to force public officials not to support the majority who actually like living in cities. For some reason, officials tend to listen to them in preference to the majority. David Crossley, Houston