In "Where Is My Flying Car", Hall argues that what we really value in cities isn't necessarily physical density, but *temporal* density—ie low travel time. If all points were 5x further apart, but we move 5x faster, we'd prefer it: everyone could have more space. Is this right? /
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One reason I like cities is definitely proximity to services and friends. Dozens of excellent restaurants and people within a thirty minute trip. But I also like running into people randomly, serendipitously. Living in a city is like shaking a fuller snow globe!
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Not sure if temporal density is equivalent to physical density for the purposes of serendipity. If I only run into people at destinations, then there'd be no change if everything were spread out: the same people visit the same restaurants. But I run into people while walking!
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Additionally: walking is dramatically preferable to all other forms of transportation. It’s good for you, improves mood, allows improvisation, is extremely convenient, etc. Taking a flying car quickly between distant locations doesn’t provide any of that.
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True although n.b. I would very much like the flying car additionally/anyway!