According to Don Weden, density does not have to be scary. The longtime principal planner in Santa Clara County told a meeting of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors that as long as density is well planned and communities are open to change, density can work in suburban areas.
For both San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, he believes the solution is transitioning from what he termed the 2.0 suburban era to the 3.0 urban/suburban era.
According to Weden, several factors are reshaping Silicon Valley. First and foremost is population growth. Over the next 15 years, San Mateo County’s current population of 747,000 is projected to grow by 80,000 people. Santa Clara County’s population of 1,800,000 is expected to increase by 300,000 people.
Population has increased because Silicon Valley’s economy is booming. In the month of May 2016 alone, the region added 6,000 jobs.
In addition, Silicon Valley is being squeezed by two demographic groups: baby boomers and millennials. By 2030, one in three adults (30 percent) in Santa Clara County will be 65 years and older. Life in the suburbs will no longer be attractive to seniors because “the way the suburbs are built doesn’t assume growing old,” said Weden.
As for millennials, many prefer living in an urban setting. This generation has the lowest percentage with driver’s licenses since 1963.
The lifestyle preferences of both generations cannot be ignored from a land use perspective, as they converge toward walkable, urban communities, with easy access to public transportation.
“The scariest words in suburbia are ‘density’ and ‘urban.’ Density is but a tool that can be used wisely or unwisely. Density can be part of the solution if it is well-planned,” said Weden. Creating suburbs with green, urban, walkable neighborhoods, with convenient access to public transportation would transition to a new era.
Weden told realtors, “Get comfortable with urban and density. 2030 is not that far way. We need to act with a sense of urgency and harness the forces bringing change.”
The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors provided information in this article. For more information, email Rose Meily at [email protected] or visit silvar.org.
