We are constantly building new schools in the hinterlands while schools in our already developed areas sit there empty. We spend money on duplicating school buildings instead of on teachers and books. We spend much more money on roads than we do on transit. He then explained that a reduction in property tax rates on buildings and a corresponding increase in tax rates on land values would promote development on high- value land near existing infrastructure. As a result, urban development would be more compact.
Compact development has several advantages.
If cities are more compact, we spend less money on infrastructure, and therefore have lower taxes. It offers the opportunity for reduced congestion, more people can car pool, bike or even walk. Finally, more compact allows us to use less energy and pollute less, thereby leading to a better quality of life. Compact development allows us to take advantage of the infrastructure we already have, make better use of our urban areas, and save the countryside for agricultural and conservation uses. As an added benefit, housing will be more affordable and there will be more employment opportunities.