The Editor,
Re: "Dense makes no sense," Letters, March 1.
Using imaginary economic terms like "natural inflation" (go ahead, look it up, find me a definition) do not lend much credence to an argument.
Neither does asserting that I made comments like "concrete jungle" (I never said anything of the sort).
Proper urban planning can increase density while preserving (and enhancing) liv-ability.
It's called "smart density" (go ahead, look that one up - you'll find a whole lot more Google results than you will for "natural inflation").
Things like a new City Centre Community Centre, Trinity Western's Richmond Campus, and yes, even the soon-to-be-built Capstan Station, have all become possible due to development in Richmond's City Centre.
Why build a multi-billion dollar rapid transit system, and keep densities low?
Why does SkyTrain make sense in Richmond, but not in Langley?
Why do condo buyers flock to new developments located adjacent to SkyTrain stations?
It's because the creation of dense, walkable neighbourhoods with quick access to downtown is what people want.
There's a reason why urban planners from all over the world are visiting Vancouver to see how a compact, dense urban core can create vibrant, sustainable and safe downtowns, which reduce suburban sprawl and ease pressures on conversion of agricultural land to single family subdivisions.
Compare Metro Vancouver's model to the unbridled sprawl in Calgary, and tell me which you'd prefer.
Mark Sakai Richmond
