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What is the BEST Density for Cities?

2026-06-25 · 17:26 UTC ·City Beautiful ·1 min read

Brief

City Beautiful's video 'What is the BEST Density for Cities?' (presentation) examines how optimal urban density is determined primarily by transportation system type and performance rather than a single ideal number. The short explainer references transit-supportive research (Greater Boston report, 2025; PSRC 2022), is produced by Dave Amos/Nebula, and published 25 June 2026.

Why it matters

Argues there is no single 'best' urban density: optimal density depends on transportation mode, network quality, and local goals rather than a universal number.

Key details

  • Draws on transit-focused research, citing 'Transit-Supportive Density in Greater Boston' (Boston Foundation report, 2025) and PSRC's 'Transit-Supportive Densities and Land Uses' (2022), plus sources like A Pattern Language.
  • Video produced by Dave Amos/Nebula Studios for City Beautiful, published 2026-06-25; includes links to a Nebula viewing and a Tom Scott reference.
Source evidence

Check out Tom Scott here: https://nebula.tv/tomscott?ref=citybeautiful
Watch this video on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/citybeautiful-what-is-the-best-density-for-cities

Some cities are incredibly dense, filled with towering skyscrapers. Others are spread out, filled with single family homes. Which is better? Is there a best density? Spoiler: it has something to do with transportation.

Resources mentioned in this video

  • A Pattern Language: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APatternLanguage

  • Transit-Supportive Density in Greater Boston: https://www.tbf.org/-/media/indicators/boston-indicators-reports/report-files/transit-supportive-density-report-20250130.pdf

  • Transit-Supportive Densities and Land Uses: https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/tsdluguidancepaper.pdf

  • Urban Densities and Transit: A Multi-dimensional Perspective: https://escholarship.org/content/qt3mb598qr/qt3mb598qr.pdf

Produced by Dave Amos and the fine folks at Nebula Studios.
Written by Dave Amos.
Select images and video from Getty Images.
Black Lives Matter.
Trans rights.

Channel: City Beautiful
Published: 2026-06-25
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkACy-kAzvs