When Metros Grow

As popular areas such as the Phoenix Metro continue to evolve and run out of land, vertical growth becomes somewhat inevitable. Having said that, as anything, there is good and bad. And while there are many factors on each side of the coin, we’re simply going to talk about the BASIC pros and cons of vertical urbanization. Obviously, at the end of of the day, urbanization is about a developer maximizing their investment on a piece of land. However, it’s also worth noting that, especially in the desert, wildlife and conservation come much more into play.

Noteworthy Pros of Vertical Urbanization

As mentioned above, urbanization can be extra helpful in areas that feature acts to protect land and wildlife. There’s only so much buildable land. And while in many cased urbanization is seen as a threat to nature, horizontal growth causes MUCH more damage to it in the long run.

Via extension of vertical urbanization typically taking place on a piece of existing land, sprawl is limited. When sprawl is limited, different types of people are located in a smaller area. Some say this leads to an improved social environment and relationships between different types of people.

Typical single family homes are MUCH less efficient than a well-built mid- or high-rise condominium building. As an example, buyers of condos for sale at Optima Kierland will experience their own micro climate and more efficiency.

You have to look at population percentages per square mile. Horizontal sprawl makes it harder to move people around meaning more public transportation may be needed to reduce traffic and pollution. Many larger cities have created great systems for moving large masses of the population around without creating extra traffic and pollution.

Vertical Urbanization creates exciting live, work, play environments featuring entertainment, dining, retail, employment, and more.

Noteworthy Cons of Vertical Growth

Not everything is happy in the world of vertical growth. While it can improve social cohesion, people have less of their own space. While Greater Phoenix’s vertical growth is rather limited as the valley wasn’t designed as a vertical environment, should it go more vertical, its affects on the population are an unknown.

The higher up the tower goes, utilities become more expensive. This is because it takes more energy to pump water to the higher floors of a building. Something to think about.

Another issue is some people begin to travel more vertically than horizontally. One of the best parts of living in Arizona are all the wonderful hiking and biking trails. We have beautiful mountains and scenery. Will people simply view it from their rooftop amenity decks or will they still go out an experience all that the state has to offer?

Also, when one travels vertically, they tend to get less exercise. Than again all great mid- and high-rise apartment and condominium projects have fitness centers and other fitness activities. At the end of the day, it really all depends on the person.

In Closing

As population increases and as metros such as Greater Phoenix hit their land limits, we can expect to see developers continue to build higher and higher. Being a boutique luxury real estate team in the Greater Phoenix Area, we’re used to selling units at many of the local projects around the valley. While we respect the concerns of those who don’t love vertical growth, we see the benefits of limiting sprawl. Not to mention the incredible lives our clients are enjoying in their shiny, new vertical residences.

Also Read: Advantages Of Not Buying A Condo Straight From The Developer