Highrises harm PEOPLE, COMMUNITY, and the ENVIRONMENT
- Increase Traffic Congestion and Air Pollution
Highrises increase traffic congestion and air pollution as the large number of occupants in highrises place a greater burden on our road network and environment than with lower density housing. - Increase Crime
Studies have shown that high-density urbanized areas have higher rates of crime than low-density areas. (Brown and Liu, 1999) - Obstruct Views
Highrises obstruct landscapes and block views of the mountains. They are a brutalization of our skyline and a violation of our sense of place. - Create Shadows
Highrises create large shadow zones which eliminate much direct sunlight to ground level and reduce visual perception creating a gloomy look. - Make Communities Impersonal
Studies have shown that people in higher density areas are less neighbourly and helpful. (Levine, Cal. State, 2003) - Harm Mental Health
Highrises alienate man from nature and man from community and contribute to the emergence of those social pathologies that arise from human isolation. Numerous studies have confirmed this. - Waste Energy
Highrises are big energy wasters. Highrises use one-third more energy per dwelling unit than do single family homes (CMHC). - Increase Housing Costs
The construction of a single highrise leads to land speculation that more highrises will be built thereby increasing land values nearby and throughout the city. This results in higher housing costs for all. - Increase Taxes
Studies have shown that the costs of providing municipal services to residents of high-density housing exceed the revenue obtained through property taxes. (Ladd, 1992) - Lead to More Highrises
There aren't many cities with just a few highrises. Highrises increase land values where land can be profitably developed only by building more highrises. This will result in the proliferation of highrises throughout the city.