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Image by Jef Nickerson for gcpvd.org
Increased Density is Desirable for Providence
- Increases the diversity of the city
- Builds the tax base
- More people can live where they work, and work where they live, increasing personal investment in the city
- More density = more population = more political influence locally and nationally
- More government, schools, and industry accountability
- Creates critical masses of people to demand and consume retail, entertainment, arts, and open space
- High-density development limits negative impact on the environment in that it requires the use of a great deal less land than the same amount of development built in a sprawling style.
- Concentrates land use allowing for shorter trips and less carbon emission
- Uses city resources more efficiently
- Creates more affordable housing More units = more affordability
- Creates invaluable identity and “sense of place” Makes our city look like a city
- Density is a tool for creating a critical mass of residents working and living in taller buildings who will support local businesses (restaurants, markets, retail) and the arts
Opportunities to Increase Density NOW
- Increase taxes on parking lots and other “dead space” to spur development
- Allow for more height
- Upgrade our infrastructure to support more density
- Develop mass transit (ex: rail) to support more density
- Allow developers to build more densely if they give back open space, parking, or arts funding to the city
Visionary Goal for Providence Density
- Restore Providence’s population to 250,000 by 2050!
Image by Jef Nickerson for gcpvd.org
Where Density WORKS for Providence
- Federal Hill, Fox Point, Wayland Square, Thayer Street/College Hill, Downtown, Armory District, Broadway, Smith Hill
- Why do they work? These are mixed use areas of residential, commercial, and retail activity. They are walkable and have excellent mass transit access. They also have unique and differing identities, scaling, and character
Where Land Use Doesn’t Work
- North Main St., Hospital Parking Lots, Jewelry Dist., Olneyville Sq., Downtown Parking
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