Infill Development: Perspectives and Evidence from Economics and Planning

Abstract This article examines the arguments from the economics and planning literature about both the advantages of infill development and the barriers to it. It begins with reviewing the arguments from the economics, policy, and planning literatures on the possible benefits of infill development, the range of policies to promote infill that have been passed or proposed, and the reasons there may be opposition to infill. It then examines ways to measure infill development. It describes characteristics of infill and reveals issues that influence the extent and trends in the density of infill development. Because of immense opposition to infill development based on its potential costs to local residents, the article explores the literature on the effect of urban projects, including infill, on local property values. Finally, it draws out implications for policy and suggests directions for future research on infill.