Title: Infrastructure Servicing Costs and Residential Development Forms
Description:
Land use and infrastructure are integrally related, yet not always holistically considered. Residential development requires servicing, and the form and density of housing dictates the needed infrastructure. Municipalities routinely make land-use decisions that can impact a community’s long-term livability and sustainability, and have implications on local government costs and finances, municipal budgets, and property taxes.
Yet, the relationships between residential densities and infrastructure costs are complex. Some, but not all, services are sensitive to a city’s urban form, development patterns, and residential densities. Understanding and communicating the trade-offs associated with the costs and revenues of different land use types and residential densities/forms is critical to long-term financial sustainability for advancing positive community building.
